Catholic life nov13

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Catholic Life

Publication of the Diocese of Sale

Melbourne & Sale CDF to merge - Page 3

Bishop’s Family Foundation gives $1 million - Page 5

ISSUE 178

November 2013

CatholicCare Pakenham office opens - Page 6

Year of Family Prayer lift-out - Pages 9-12

Year of Family Prayer THE Year of Family Prayer has been launched as a Sale Diocese initiative which will run for 12 months from the start of Advent.

Bishop Christopher Prowse officially launched the year at the Mass to close the Year of Grace.

The launch was to have taken place later this month as part of a pastoral plan but was brought forward after the bishop was appointed Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn.

The spectacular icon of the Holy Family by New Zealand iconographers Studio of John the Baptist in Auckland has been chosen as the image to encourage family prayer.

Thousands of prayer cards featuring the image have been prepared and will be handed out through the parish and schools network.

Parishes will also be provided with some simple prayer ideas which families might choose to adopt during Advent and Christmas.

A short DVD on prayer is currently in production and will be distributed early in 2014 and the pastoral council is also putting together a small family prayer book featuring a mix of traditional and informal prayers which it is hoped families will use for input into their prayer life.

At the launch which was attended mainly by students from Marist-Sion College and St Joseph’s Primary School in Warragul, Bishop Prowse urged the students to take a greater role in family prayer.

He suggested that they sometimes ask the family to pause before a meal to give thanks for the food and those who had prepared it.

He also suggested that the

students ask their parents to take them to Mass from time to time.

Although strictly-speaking, the diocesan pastoral council ceases to exist because we no longer have a Bishop of Sale, members will continue to run the Year of Family Prayer which has been so long in planning.

Bishop Prowse announced it in his Pentecost pastoral letter earlier this year.

Among other initiatives will be a family retreat Camp Nazareth, which will be held at Trafalgar East on March 14-16 next year.

This will be a camp for families of all ages with fun activities for children, sessions for adults, and activities for the whole family.

Later in the year there will be a specific focus on nurturing marriage.

Pope Francis has recently also given strong support for family prayer in his Homily at Mass with Families for the Year of Faith.

“I would like to ask you, dear families: Do you pray together from time to time as a family? Some of you do, I know. But so many people say to me: But how can we? Each one, with humility, allowing themselves to be gazed upon by the Lord and imploring his goodness, that he may visit us.

But in the family how is this done? After all, prayer seems to be something personal, and besides there is never a good time, a moment of peace “Yes, all that is true enough, but it is also a matter of humility, of realising that we need God, like the tax collector!

And all families, we need God: all of us! We need his help, his strength, his blessing, his mercy, his forgiveness. And we need simplicity to pray as a family: simplicity is necessary!”

A million reasons for your support The Bishop’s Family Foundation has given more than $1 million to helping programs for families in the Great Gippsland area from the City of Casey through to the NSW border.

Help grow the fund so we can do more good works.

Send donations to: Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820

Page 2 - Catholic Life, November 2013

Installation is next week

Bishop’s farewell TO my dear friends in Christ in the Diocese of Sale, In these days I will be transferred to the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

As always, there is sadness in saying goodbye. We all experience this in some way in our lives. However, we are all missionaries and missionary disciples are SENT OUT people.

In my case, it is to the diocese just north of East Gippsland!

So, thank you to the Catholic community in the diocese for all your love and care of me. You have been so open and generous in allowing me to lead you as your servant-shepherd Bishop over the last four years to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

I will never forget your many kindnesses. We will pray for each other in the times ahead. Know that you all have a permanent place in my heart.

I think the most important prayer that the Diocese of Sale could pray for in the future is for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

There has been a renewed interest here in the past years.

But it is an area that needs constant prayer vigilance and appropriate encouragement.

Shortly, you will hear that the Diocesan College of Consultors has elected from among themselves a diocesan Administrator. He will guide the Diocese until Pope Francis appoints my successor, the ninth Bishop of Sale. This ought to be an important prayer intercession from the Diocese in the times ahead.

You may recall that my Episcopal motto is: “ONLY JESUS”. In different ways, I pray that Jesus has used me as an instrument of his Grace and Faith for many of you over these years. If that has not been your experience, please forgive me. But my deepest desire has always been to place the centrality of Jesus before you all…. ONLY JESUS, ALWAYS JESUS, FOREVER JESUS. - Archbishop-Elect Christopher Prowse Diocesan Administrator

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DIOCESE OF SALE

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

catholiclife@sale.catholic.org.au www.sale.catholic.org.au

ONLY a small number of parishioners from Sale Diocese are expected to travel to Canberra next week for the installation of Bishop Christopher Prowse as the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn.

However, the diocese will be well-represented by clergy and staff.

The installation Mass will be at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest, ACT, on Tuesday, November 19, at 11am.

The bishop’s final day in Sale Diocese will be tomorrow, No-

vember 14, which coincidentally is his 60th birthday.

Since Pope Francis announced his appointment to Canberra on September 13, the bishop has been acting as diocesan administrator.

The College of Consultors, made up of senior priests of the diocese, will meet next week to elect a new administrator who will run the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.

Under Canon Law an administrator cannot make decisions which bind the next bishop and

so he cannot create parishes or undertake major projects.

An administrator cannot create a parish priest but he can appoint priests to be administrators of parishes.

It is expected to be at least 18 months and possibly longer before a new bishop is appointed to Sale. Many auxiliary bishops have been appointed as bishops elsewhere in the past 12 months and their positions as auxiliaries are yet to be filled.

Lynbrook chapel is blessed

AT the blessing ceremony are (from left) SCC (Vic) CEO Jan Horsnell, Lynbrook home manager Judy Kelly, Bishop Christopher Prowse; SCC (Vic) chairman, Dr Garry Nolan and SCC (Vic) manager pastoral care and chaplaincy Michael Taylor.

LYNBROOK - Southern Cross Care (Vic)’s commitment to spirituality and pastoral care has been reinforced with a policy to provide chapels and prayer/ reflection rooms at each of its residential aged care homes.

The latest of these, built at SCC’s Lynbrook residential home, was recently officially opened and blessed by Bishop Christopher Prowse.

In a special blessing ceremony to mark the occasion, Archbishop Elect Prowse was joined

by Fr Denis O’Bryan and Fr Joseph Abutu, from St Agatha’s parish, Cranbourne.

SCC (Vic) chief executive

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officer Jan Horsnell, said the organisation had identified pastoral care as a key component of its 2010-2015 strategic plan.

“Our Christian ethos and identity as a Catholic-based organisation is fundamental to who we are and our future growth. Our focus on the pastoral care and spiritual support of our residents and clients is very important to us,” Ms Horsnell said.

Part of that support is to ensure each residential home provides either a chapel or reflection room for residents and their families to use. These sacred places are available to celebrate religious services, or for personal contemplation.

The Lynbrook Chapel, along with another at SCC (Vic)’s recently-built residential home at Keon Park, both feature tabernacles donated by the Knights of the Southern Cross.

The ceremony also included the blessing of a large range of building modifications at the home.

Ms Horsnell said to better support residents living with dementia, a section of the home had been divided into two ‘houses’, each featuring its own sitting and dining rooms.

The downsizing of living areas is a philosophy SCC (Vic) plans to incorporate into all future residential developments and redevelopments.

“Our aim is to provide residents with as close to a homelike environment as possible,” Ms Horsnell said. “We want to focus more on health and wellbeing, rather than the more traditional model of residential care.

“All our future residential homes will be built with a ‘smaller is better’ approach, featuring a series of living spaces throughout the home, each with its own lounge area, kitchen and dining room and accommodation for up to 16 people.”

The new building works also include a sensory garden for residents.

Editor: Colin Coomber Published monthly except January.

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Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 3

Sale-Melbourne agreement for stronger CDF AN important agreement has been signed between Archbishop Denis Hart for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Archbishop-Elect Christopher Prowse for the Diocese of Sale which will lead to the amalgamation of their two Catholic Development Funds.

The amalgamation of the two funds will increase the capacity of the amalgamated fund to support the development of the Church in the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Diocese of Sale.

The combined assets of the two funds will enable a greater pool of money to be available for loans to parishes and schools in the Sale Diocese.

The Sale CDF has required access to additional funding to meet the heavy demand for loan funds for new schools and parishes which have been forced by the rapid growth of the outer eastern suburbs into the west of Sale Diocese.

The amalgamation of the two funds allows this demand to be met within the Church rather than from the external banking sector.

Fr Siju now assistant at Berwick THE newly ordained Fr Siju Xavier has been appointed assistant priest at Berwick.

His appointment was announced by Bishop Prowse last week.

Fr Siju was ordained in India last month following 12 years of seminary studies in India and here in Australia.

He will hold four thanksgiving Masses to allow people from Sale Diocese to join with him in celebrating his ordination.

These will be at St Michael’s, Traralgon, on November 24 at 9.30am, St Michael’s, Berwick, on December 1 at 10.20am, St Mary’s, Bairnsdale on December 8 at 9am, and St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, on December 15, at 9.30am.

Following an extensive consultation process in the Diocese of Sale which commenced in February 2013 a joint working party comprising representatives of the Melbourne and Sale Diocese was established in June 2013

by Archbishop Denis Hart and Bishop Christopher Prowse to explore a way forward.

After extensive research, investigation and consultations, Archbishop Hart and Archbishop-Elect Prowse accepted the report and recommendations of the joint Working Party and agreed to a restructure, which will see the two Catholic Development Funds amalgamate in a staged approach to be completed by July 1, 2014.

This is a pivotal point in time for both funds and represents a significant opportunity for both dioceses.

The amalgamation will enable the demand on loan funds in the urban growth area of Sale Diocese to be met.

With synergies there will be reduced overheads and an alignment of products which will see parishes and schools better off.

The CDF will maintain its office in Warragul Bishop Prowse said “This represents a significant moment in the Diocese of Sale and I thank Archbishop Hart for his willingness to examine and support an amalgamation.

“The amalgamation addresses a number of issues confronting the Sale Diocese, including the urban growth and the resulting demand for loans in our Diocese.”

Archbishop Hart said “I welcome the amalgamation and the benefits it will bring to the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Diocese of Sale and in doing so recognise the foresight of Archbishop-Elect Prowse and thank all those who have contributed to making the amalgamation a reality.”

Appointment to Pastoral Child abuse report Research Council due out this week

THE Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations is due to report this week.

For access to the report, the responses by the Church, recent updates, or to sign up for email alerts, visit the Church’s website: www.facingthetruth.org.au

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

SALE Diocese pastoral coordinator Sophy Morley has been appointed to membership of the Australian Catholic Council for Pastoral Research.

This council, via the Bishops’ Commission for Administration and Information, advises the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference on matters pertaining to pastoral research.

The Council also offers support and guidance to the ACBC Pastoral Research Office.

Mrs Morley also currently serves on the ACBC National Liturgical Council and is also a member of the research team for Building Stronger Parishes, a project currently being undertaken by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Research Office.

She is also a former chair of the National Pastoral Planners Network.

ARCHBISHOP of Melbourne Denis Hart (left) and Bishop Christopher Prowse shake after signing the historic agreement, watched by Archdiocese of Melbourne executive director administration Francis Moore.

- Photo courtesy CASAMENTO PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Page 4 - Catholic Life, November 2013

Cranbourne pilgrimage in footsteps of St Paul

Changed arms

A COUPLE of the more astute readers noticed the change of the coat of arms in our masthead last issue.

One lamented that we had dropped Bishop Prowse’s arms before he’d even vacated his seat.

The reason behind this is that with the Pope’s announcement of Bishop Prowse’s appointed as Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn, he ceased to be our bishop.

Bishop Prowse has been our diocesan administrator and will be replaced by a new administrator once he takes up his Canberra appointment next week.

The arms now displayed on our masthead are the official arms of the Diocese of Sale which were granted back in the 1800s.

They feature a white griffin holding a pointed cross and three white estoilles or wavy crosses.

Incidentally, Bishop Prowse’s arms are being amended to have an extra row of tassels down each side which signifies he is now an archbishop.

Red’s not her color

INTERESTING that some sections of the media have taken to heart that an Australian nun could be named as a cardinal

by Pope Francis next year.

Apparently the Pope will create several new cardinals in February and several Catholic

theologians and scholars have suggested it is time to appoint some females.

Jesuit Refugee Services associate director Sr Maryanne Loughry has been suggested along with Irish theologian Prof. Linda Hogan, and a Nigerian theolgian Sr Teresa Okure.

Take our word for it, it will not happen until there is a major shift in Canon Law. Cardinals did not always have to be priests but since the 1600s there has only been one lay cardinal and he became a deacon the same year. Since 1917 cardinals have had to be priests.

As for a female being appointed a cardinal next year - we certainly won’t be having a bet on this one.

You might call it insider trading but Canon 351 of the Code of Canon Law clearly states that for a man to be a cardinal a candidate must at least be a priest and if they are not a bishop already, they must be raised to the episcopacy before being made a cardinal.

It’s a pity some news outlets, Catholic ones as well, didn’t do some research before publishing.

CRANBOURNE – Parish priest Fr Denis O’Bryan will lead a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and walking a section of the famous Camino to Santiago in Spain in September next year.

The pilgrimage Walking in the Footsteps of St Peter will celebrate 20 years since the creation of St Peter’s College as a Catholic regional college when it separated from St Francis Xavier College in 1994.

Principal Tim Hogan said highlights of the pilgrimage would include an anniversary Mass and celebration dinner at Domus Australia in Rome plus the visits to historic sites in Rome, Assisi and Santiago de Compostela.

He said “In this event we look not only to honor our Patron St Peter and celebrate 20 years as St Peter’s College, but also to continue to grow in our understanding of his charisma and faith journey”.

The pilgrimage will be open to members of the St Peter’s College community including staff, students as well as parishioners of St Agatha’s and St Thomas the Apostle parishes.

Further details of the nineteen day pilgrimage can be found on the college website www. stpeters.vic.edu.au or by contacting tour co-ordinator

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

Roger Hampson.

Expressions of interest are now being called for via email rhampson@stpeters.vic.edu.au and will close the day following an information evening, which will be held on December 4 at the west campus of St Peter’s College, Navarre Drive, Cranbourne starting at 7pm.

Please register your intention of attending this meeting with the College.

Beware of wrong missals PURCHASERS of missals have been warned to be aware that there are some missals available on-line which are not approved for use in Australia.

Some of these may also be available in bookstores.

The missals approved for use in Australia by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference are those published by St Pauls Publications in Strathfield, NSW namely, the St Pauls Sunday Missal and St Pauls Weekday Missal.

The Daily Mass Book published each year by Liturgy Brisbane is also approved.

Missals published by the Catholic Truth Society (London) have made their way to Australia and are available for

sale, however they do not contain all the local observances in Australia’s national liturgical calendar.

Observances missing include Our Lady Help of Christians on May 24 and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on August 8.

The translations of the Responsorial Psalms refrains and Gospel acclamation verses contained in the CTS edition are different from those texts approved for use in Australia.

The CTS Missals contain texts that are approved for use in England, Scotland and Wales.

For the reasons just mentioned, use of the CTS missal as a worship aid during Mass in Australia could potentially cause confusion for participants.

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

Protective Security Services 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.

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Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 5

Family Foundation passes $1 million milestone THE Bishop’s Family Foundation has allocated $125,720 towards four charities servicing families in the Greater Gippsland area.

The latest disbursement means that the foundation has given away more than $1 million over the past 12 years.

The foundation serves the needs of charities operating in the geographical area of the Catholic Diocese of Sale with a special emphasis on backing projects which support families.

Executive officer Colin Coomber said that it was extremely pleasing to achieve the milestone of distributing more than $1 million and he wished that more funds could have been distributed.

He said that current low interest rates had meant that the return on investments was not as great as it had been in the past but it was gratifying that the fund was still able to provide meaningful support to other charities.

“For many years now we have been able to distribute more than $100,000 annually from return on our investments and that is a strong indication that the basic model of the foundation is strong.

“The way forward is to build the size of the trust fund and there will be special emphasis on this in the next few years.”

This year charities applied for almost $300,000 to fund projects from the City of Casey in the outer metropolitan fringe through to East Gippsland.

“Unfortunately, there are always worthwhile projects which miss out.”

Mr Coomber said that donations to the foundation were always welcome and as part of his charter he would be seeking to significantly boost the size of the charitable fund.

“We currently have about $2 million in the trust fund.

Imagine the good we could achieve in this region if that fund was $10 million.”

His appointment last month was part of an overall review of the foundation which would result in it taking on a higher profile as charity of choice for corporate sponsors and individuals.

He said that exciting changes were in the wind and would be announced early next year.

CatholicCare Gippsland will receive $80,000 towards community development projects working with Sudanese refugees in Pakenham and Moe. Olivia’s Place will be given $30,000 towards establishing a pregnancy and early parenting support centre in Warragul.

Warrina Counselling will receive $7720 for an early intervention program for young adults in the Traralgon area and Cardinia Combined Churches will receive $8000 to extend counselling services in Pakenham.

Applications from charities to be consideration in the next round of disbursements will be called in July next year.

Ex-Anglican’s ordination as Catholic priest THE Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross has extended its influence into Sale Diocese with the ordaining of Fr Ken Clark as a Catholic priest last month.

The former Anglican priest was ordained by Bishop Christopher Prowse in St Mary’s Cathedral before a small crowd of about 70 people.

Also participating in the ceremony was head of the Ordinariate Mgr Harry Entwistle, himself a former bishop of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia which is part of the Traditional Anglican Communion.

Sitting in the back pews was former Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion Archbishop John Hepworth, who had originally ordained Fr Clark as an Anglican priest.

The Ordinariate was established by Pope Benedict to allow Anglicans who wanted to be in communion with the Catholic Church to cross over, and become Catholics with an approved Anglican form of the Mass.

In his homily Mgr Entwistle said the ordination reminded him of a question asked of him when he was working in a women’s prison in England.

An inmate had asked him whether he was a real priest or just someone who “worked in this place.”

He said the question got him thinking what the definition of a “real priest” would be.

“Is it who you are or what you do? Is it a calling, a vocation or a job? Is it something permanent or something you can give away?”

Mgr Entwistle said the answer was that the priesthood was a role of service which belonged to Jesus Christ.

Jesus had appointed the apostles and sent them out to the world and then as the task got bigger, they appointed agents to act on their behalf, who eventually became known as priests.

He said all priesthood derived from Jesus and continued on through the Church.

This brought him back to the question which had no doubt arisen as to whether Ken Clark would be a real priest in the Catholic sense.

“If he is not, then I don’t know why Bishop Prowse is

DEAN of St Mary’s Cathedral Fr Andrew Wise (left) congratulates Fr Ken Clark after his ordination. ordaining him in this cathedral today.”

The Ordinariate had a special place within the Catholic Church and an Anglican rite Mass was regarded as an alternate form of Catholic worship.

Fr Clark said his ordination was the fulfilment of a life-long ambition. It had been a long and at times difficult journey but he had been helped through the process by Bishop Prowse, Mgr Entwistle and particularly Fr Andrew Wise.

He had only met most of the diocesan priests at the in-service last month and was pleased to receive their encouragement and support.

There had also been strong support from the Maffra cenacle group, his RCIA class, Maffra and Sale parishionerss and also members of his small Traditional Anglican congregation.

Fr Clark made special mention of his wife Carmel for her support and the important role she played in being a sounding board and filter for parishioners wanting to raise issues but not bother the priest.

His final thank you was to Archbishop Hepworth who inspired him to apply to be part of the Ordinariate when he

had doubts, not knowing if he would be accepted.

After Mass the congregation gathered for a light lunch in the cathedral open area.

The first Ordinariate Mass took place the following day at Our Lady of Sion chapel, Sale.

BISHOP Christopher Prowse lays his hands on the head of Fr Ken Clark as part of the ordination ceremony.

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Page 6 - Catholic Life, November 2013

CatholicCare Pakenham opens Families invited to Camp Nazareth

By Jess Deheny

AT the opening are Russell Broadbent, MHR, McMillan, CatholicCare Gippsland manager Anthea Dacy, CatholicCare Melbourne chief executive officer Fr Joe Caddy and Bishop Christopher Prowse.

PAKENHAM – CatholicCare icCare Melbourne, it meant McMillan, said he appreciated Gippsland new offices in Pa- that less of the available funds the work Fr Cady did as head of kenham have been officially would be used in overheads, CatholicCare and was thrilled opened at a function in a con- and more would be available to to hear that more effort was beverted home on October 30. provide services to the public. ing put into providing services CatholicCare Melbourne Fr Caddy said the Pakenham on “Main Street” rather than chief executive officer was wel- office would be able to provide staffing back offices. comed by Gippsland director a range of services to the rapCatholicCare did a wonderful Anthea Dacy. idly growing area of the Shire job around Gippsland and the Fr Caddy said it had often of Cardinia. new Pakenham offices would been spoken about how CatholThere were real needs for enable it to continue to provide icCare could assist in the provi- welfare services in fast growing top class service to the commusion of services in the Diocese areas surrounding Australia’s nity. of Sale. capital cities because the peoBishop Christopher Prowse Melbourne had the capac- ple were there but the services then blessed the premises and ity to be able to assist and so always came much later. unveiled a plaque to commemwhen Bishop Prowse had asked The Pakenham area was orate the occasion. if Melbourne could manage home to a large number of miCatholicCare services in Gipps- grants and refugee families land, work was put into making and CatholicCare was already a smooth transition. reaching out to provide services He said that with management for these newcomers. being undertaken by CatholRussell Broadbent, MHR,

ADVENT 2013 will see the kick-off of the Diocese of Sale’s year-long focus on fostering family prayer.

It is with this special emphasis in mind that you are invited to take part in “Camp Nazareth” March 14-16, 2014.

Camp Nazareth is a new diocesan initiative offering the whole family a fun, faith filled weekend retreat experience.

Bishop Christopher Prowse in his 2013 Pentecost letter encouraged us in the Diocese of Sale to be led by the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth and to strive towards am attitude of “a permanent Nazareth” in our own families.

Taking this as our inspiration Camp Nazareth will be an opportunity for families to carve some time out of their hectic schedules, to experience and celebrate a deepening of their family spiritual life, and the communion of each other and

our Church family.

Camp Nazareth will take place at The Summit at Trafalgar East from the evening of Friday March 14 until the afternoon of Sunday March 16.

Families will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of prayer experiences, hear from inspirational speakers, participate in the sacraments and have a whole heap of fun enjoying the adventure activities The Summit offers and each other’s company.

Family life today comes in many different forms, a patchwork of various human arrangements, therefore we invite all members of our diocesan family to take part in Camp Nazareth; parents, children, young adults, couples, teenagers, grandparents, single people, friends – you are all welcome!

Registration details will be released soon so make sure you schedule Camp Nazareth in your family diary March 14-16, 2014.

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DURING November we remember especially those who have died, those who have ‘gone before’ us.

We are reminded in the Preface in our Masses for the Dead that at death, “life is changed, not ended…” We are still closely connected, we still belong, their deeds and actions still remain in our hearts and in our lives.

We call that belief, that conviction the Communion of Saints – the fact that we are still in communion or common union with those who have died.

Our lives are still joined. God’s love, God’s power and mercy are holding us all in existence.

The Communion of Saints means that the Church is a communion of disciples who have been transformed by the grace of Christ. This communion is not broken by death.

Our Catholic theology includes the beautiful concept that this relationship is mutually beneficial. In the words of the Catechism: ‘since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others’ #947 Quite often we labor under an over emphasis on the old punishment-reward system – that is, our aim ought to be to lead good lives so that we will go to heaven and not to hell.

In reality, however, the sin that separates us from God is our failure to really believe in the wonderful transforming love of God. But God does not wait until the guilty come to be reconciled. God goes out to meet them and reconciles them1.

Meister Eckhart, one of the great Christian mystics said that: “People should not worry as

Reflections

by Jim Quillinan much about what they do but rather about what they are. If they and their ways are good, then their deeds are radiant. If you are righteous, then what you do will also be righteous.

We should not think that holiness is based on what we do but rather on what we are, for it is not our works which sanctify us but we who sanctify our works.”

Belief in life after death, or resurrection is a call to transformation, it is a call to action, a call to be passionate about this life, to be creative rather than passively accepting the status quo.

There is much in our own personal lives that needs the resurrection – there is much in our world that needs it as well.

The late and much revered Australian biblical scholar Bishop Cuskelly wrote in his last book that: ‘We pass from sin to life by believing in God’s love for us and for all people and for the world that God has made – and then letting that love rule our lives’2.

Karl Marx’s great criticism of Religion as ‘the opium of the people’ was the idea that, if we believe in life after death, we will be too accepting of what we see as ‘our lot in life’ and thus we are more likely to be unhealthily passive and not fully creative in this life, We accept things in the hope of some-

thing better after we die.

Pain, suffering, disappointment, hardship are all part of being human. But there is the possibility of resurrection – and that changes everything.

Not in the over-simplified interpretation of Karl Marx, ‘put up with what you have been given because you will be rewarded later’, but rather being a follower of Christ means that we work to bring the resurrection into our own lives, the lives of others and into our world.

In the late Pope John Paul’s words: ‘Ultimately only God can save humankind, but God expects us to co-operate. The fact that we can co-operate with God determines our authentic greatness. …With God, we create the world; with God we create our personal salvation’.

Far from passively accepting our lot, we are called to transform our own lives and the world in which we live – to bring about the resurrection by working to ensure God’s vision for the world becomes a reality.

In that way our joys and hopes as well as our suffering and hardship find their real meaning and purpose.

1 Introduction to Christianity, Ratzinger p213).

Walking the Way of Jesus, An essay in Christian Spirituality, EJ Cuskelly St Paul’s 1999 2

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 7

Billy cart challenge Busy time for CWL branches

READY to roll are Lilly Hatley-Smith, Charlotte Harvie and Shainia Wlazly.

BUNYIP - Columba Catholic Primary School in Bunyip held its‘Great Columba Billy Cart Challenge on October 17.

It was a huge success despite the rain, wind, lightning and other extreme weather conditions!

Columba’s wonderful families put a lot of time and effort into the designing, building and

painting of the billy carts.

The children learnt many new skills and thoroughly enjoyed the racing. Congratulations to GB Racing Team for taking out the honors of first place.

“The brave parents who took to the driver’s seat really made it a family event.” said grade 5/6 teacher Janine Kilmartin.

SALE Diocese Catholic Women’s League branches are currently holding their annual general meetings in October and November.

Members from the Diocesan Committee attend the meetings and install new branch committees for 20014. Morwell, Maffra and Inverloch are also hosting regional retreats about this time.

The diocesan conference for 2014 will be hosted by Korumburra branch in June.

Sale Diocese is hosting the 2014 State Conference at Warragul Arts Centre on August 27-28. Busy times ahead.

Iona-Maryknoll branch held its annual meeting last month.

Members welcomed Sr Lynette Young who chaired the meeting and installed the new committee. Members across the diocese are sorry to be losing Sr Lynette as the Sale Diocese CWL spiritual director and member. She has been appointed to Emmanual Spiritually Centre in Launceston.

Iona-Maryknoll branch president Marcia Wilkinson presented Sr Lynette with flowers and card thanking her for her attendance at the meeting and her love, support and dedication to CWL in this diocese over a period of about nine years.

IONA-Maryknoll CWL branch president Marcia Wilkinson presents flowers to spiritual director Sr Lynette Young.

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Page 8 - Catholic Life, November 2013

Deacons gather in ACT for biennial conference The outcome of this engagement is to increase the number of people who can come to fully appreciate the gospel message.

The keynote speaker every day was Deacon Bill Ditewig who, until recently, was the national Coordinator of the Diaconate in United States where there are now 20,000 deacons serving in a wide range of outreach ministries.

Every deacon in the US is required to engage in an area of ministry beyond the church, by finding and meeting needs to the society in which they live.

Bill also gave an insightful recollection of the history of the diaconate.

He outlined the specific intentions of the bishops of Vatican 2, who desired a new engagement with the world specifically by having ordained ministers sent out into the world as agents of transformation.

He also outlined a comprehensive and extensive use of deacons in many countries of the world, as well as giving insight into formation programs and support arrangements for deacons and their wives.

For example, the final assessment for deacons in training in Germany is to locate a pastoral need in their local society that is not being met, and to initiate steps to meet it, by mobilising their Catholic parishioners!

Supporting presentations were made by Fr Eliot Capra

SDB, on understanding how we might preach the good news today to those not engaged in church. He also provided a theological understanding of the role that deacons can play in encouraging the laity to be evangelisers themselves.

He quoted Pope Benedict’s call for all Christians to not just be collaborators in the church, but to accept co-responsibility for building up and making present the Kingdom of God in society A number of deacons gave testimonies to the work

they were already doing in missionary average into prisons Educational institutions and to seafarers.

The diversity of diaconal ministries being undertaken is very wide indeed.

The final and “missioning�

Mass was celebrated by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paul Gallagher, who had also participated in the conference and was of great encouragement to the diaconal community.

A wonderful outcome of this and previous gatherings has been a further development of the sense of communion that

deacons and their wives from across Australia, do share in this unique ministry which combines the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders.

Whilst the diaconate is relatively young and still maturing in its Australian form, the coming together and sharing by deacons themselves of how the Holy Spirit has worked in their life has provided much inspiration, and professional development for all involved.

First time author’s church secret A FORMER boarder at St Patrick’s College, Sale, Gino Gammaldi has published his first book The Secret at St Mary’s.

Mr Gammaldi spent 26 years in corporate management before taking on the job as business manager at St Mary’s parish, Altona.

He is now the parish coordinator and is also the manager of the annual Palm Sunday passion play at Doncaster.

The 28 page children’s book features animal characters.

Its main characters are Cosmo, a golden-haired Kelpie-Labrador cross and Bronte a grey and white fluffy cat.

There is action from the start as Bronte discovers a secret at the church and enlists her friend Cosmo to find out more.

In their quest they discover many interesting characters who volunteer their services and together they get into much mischief and comical situations.

The book has a surprise ending which always appeals to young children.

The book is available as paperback or eBook from www.traffordbookorders.com, www.book-

depository.com and www.amazon.com.

Mr Gammaldi is already working on another children’s book and a 180,000 word biographical history.

Gino Gammaldi o th

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CANBERRA – Some 75 members of the Catholic diaconal community gathered in Canberra for their biennial conference last month.

The representatives from Sale Diocese were Deacon Mark and Hilary Kelly and Deacon Tony Aspinall as well as, for the first time, a number of Deacons and wives from the Melbourne Archdiocese.

Concerned to do some intentional reflection on our Pope’s call for a new evangelisation, the National Association of Deacons invited a range of guest speakers to stimulate discussion on how we can better contribute to building the Kingdom of God in Australian society.

The conference was formally opened by Dr Brendan Nelson, former Defence Minister and former head of the Australian Medical Association, who is now the Director of the Australian War Memorial.

Introducing himself as a practising Catholic, Dr Nelson reflected how we as church can make a significant contribution to the development of character and values in our national identity by engaging in wider societal dialogue .

He made the point that the deacon active and vocal in the marketplace of society, has a unique opportunity by their presence and their words and actions of modelling the values virtues of Jesus Christ.

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Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 9

Year of Family Prayer Advent 2013 – Advent 2014 Family Evangelisation | Letter from Bishop Christopher Prowse

Page 10 - Catholic Life, November 2013

So often and regrettably, family prayer has become a casualty in the midst of this new world of family life today.

Dear Friends in Christ, The Catholic Diocese of Sale is about to begin the first step of a diocesan program based on FAMILY EVANGELISATION that was set out in my Pentecost 2013 Pastoral Letter.

Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent 2013 (1st December 2013). and for 2014, the Diocese will be focused on fostering Family Prayer.

Following this Year for Family Prayer, the Diocese hopes to include four further steps in this focus on Family Evangelisation: • Marriage and Family Life • Nurturing Family - School relationships • Nurturing Family - Parish / School relationships • The Family / Parish / School in the World of today Earlier this year I wrote to you on the theological – pastoral foundations of the diocesan pastoral program am in my Pentecost ecos Pastoral Letter – A PERMANENT ANEN NAZARETH AZAREETH H Church rchh (May (May – Family Life in the Mission off the Chu 2013). By reading this you willl be assisted ass t d in fully understanding this more re specific spe topic now presented.

My aim in this Letter is to iintroduce uce you to the first focus for our reflections overr the year beginning 1st December 2013. For 12 months from this date, the Diocese invites everyone to reflect carefully on the chosen theme: FAMILY PRAYER.

WHAT DO CATHOLICS TEACH ABOUT PRAYER? Perhaps it is best to start with a brief overview of prayer in the life of the entire Christian family.

Christian prayer in general is a vast topic. Thankfully, in part four of the Catechism of the Catholic Church there is a wonderful summary of Christian prayer from the Scriptures and our Tradition (n. 2558-2865) The catechism showcases Christian prayer from two foundations. First, there is prayer in Christian life. After summarising prayer in the bible, the catechism then considers different types of prayer: prayers of adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise. Then there is a section on prayer in our Christian Tradition.

The origins, the types and guides for prayer are then beautifully outlined. This is followed by the life of prayer with its different expressions: vocal, meditation, and contemplative prayer. A helpful guide to respond to the battles we all have in prayer is offered.

Secondly, the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father) – the prayer that Jesus himself gave us – is examined in depth section by section.

May I suggest strongly over the next year you refer often and directly to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the sections above. It is a goldmine of the rich treasures Catholics love regarding prayer over the last two thousand years. The Catechism can be purchased from most of your parish piety stalls or you can go online to access it (www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM ). Other great publications, derived from the Catechism, in various differing forms are available too. For example, there is YOUCAT. It is published with an eye to young people. Then there is YOUCAT Youth Prayer Book.

IS FAMILY PRAYER A PART OF YOUR FAMILY LIFE AT PRESENT? Priests, deacons and lay pastoral leaders are all aware of the great difficulties there are to pray in families these days. There are so many distractions.

Often both parents are employed in full time or part time jobs and the children participate in all sorts of sporting and special interest groups during or after school time. Our information revolution is fully alive in most homes. Digital TVs, internet, ipods, and so on, make family life and time very different from even a few years ago.

So often and regrettably, family prayer has become a casualty in the midst of this new world of family life today.

But family prayer, even if celebrated in a different or more modest manner today, can become a type of “glue” that unites a Christian family around Jesus. The family, in its many joys and the sorrows, can be given a real centre and depth when the family prays in some regular and appropriate way.

Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Catholic Diocese of Sale PO Box 1410, Warragul Vic 3820 T: +61 3 5622 6600 F +61 3 5623 3535 www.sale.catholic.org.au

I remember listening to a wise and elderly priest in the Diocese of Sale sharing at a gathering of priests and deacons. He felt that the demise of family prayer today in so many families was one of the biggest and worrying changes that he had noticed in pastoral life. Amongst other areas, he highlighted that fewer vocations to the priesthood and religious life could be ultimately attributed to this demise. I think he is right.

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 11

So I want to encourage you all to examine this area more closely over the next 12 months. Even if you live on your own at home, you still have an important role to play. There is the importance of your good example and intercessory prayer, especially if you are a grandparent.

Let us begin. Let us start by making a little examination of conscience regarding family prayer.

What is the current state of family prayer in your home? What about in the homes of your children and grandchildren? When are prayers prayed at home? In the light of the descriptions of prayer above, what types of prayer are prayed? Do you see family prayer a priority? What distracts us from praying together as a family?

FAMILY PRAYER IN MY OWN FAMILY LIFE I wish to share with you a little of my recollections of family prayer in my own family in my younger years. It might help you to reflect on your own family experiences of prayer.

In my personal reflections, I do recall that there was generally grace before meals. This happened especially when the meal was a special one. It is not that all the family gathered every night for a meal around the dinner table. However, a few nights a week there was a special time when we gathered for a meal.

Then there was an effort to gather together on a birthday of one of my brother or sisters or parents. Sometimes on a Sunday one of my grandparents would join us for dinner and that would be a special moment. Then there was Christmas time or when a special visitor joined us for a meal. During all these special times, the television would be turned off and we would all try to make it a priority to be present at a certain time. We would be under pressure not to rush off too soon after the meal to do other things. We would enjoy each others’ company.

Perhaps even a speech would be made to honour someone, especially on their birthday. At all these meals there would be prayer asking God’s blessing on us and the food we shared. My father would take special leadership enabling this to happen.

The Rosary was sometimes prayed together in my family. Perhaps it was our family turn to host the parish Marian Statue that visited different families on a weekly basis. Guests from the parish would be invited to our home to join us in the rosary. The time and place were advertised in the parish weekly bulletin. My father or mother would generally take on a role as pray leaders here.

Weekly Mass was a feature for all of us in the family. In time, we all had various roles to play in the local parish Mass. I was an Altar Server with my brother. Later on I became a Lector. We rarely all went to Mass together as one family. This was for practical reasons. There were eight of us in my family. But involvement in the parish was always a feature.

Confessions were also a part of our prayer life.

I do remember seeing sometimes my parents praying together. As a child I sometimes saw them praying in their room. It was clearly a private matter for them. I respected that. But it left a very good impression on me regarding the importance of marital prayer. I did not know what they were praying about. Perhaps they were praying for me!

Every family has their different “rituals” regarding prayer. This was the case with the families of my Aunties and Uncles. For example, as a child we could never leave my Aunt’s home without her crossing our foreheads with holy water. She asked the Lord Jesus, Mary, St Joseph and the saints to protect us from all harm.

In all the homes there were crucifixes, statues of Mary and the saints to be seen in lounge rooms and bedrooms.

Fridays were a special day when only fish was eaten. Fridays in Lent were a particular time too. Perhaps The Angelus was prayed and other prayers for the particular liturgical season.

There were sometimes too, in my childhood, when the family made an annual pilgrimage to some shrine to celebrate a feast day or a time of particular liturgical importance. There would be a Eucharistic procession and special Litanies of Our Lady prayed.

What about you? Have my reflections above triggered memories in your heart too?

Can you recall, as I have, the “heritage” of family prayer that you have been given by your own family background? Try to list them in your mind?

Together let us thank the Lord Jesus for them. They have certainly given me spiritual strength and faith foundations today. They have truly

evangelized me in my journey with Jesus. I will be forever grateful to my family for offering me such a prayer dimension in my earlier life. What about you?

How can they help us to look to the future? We do not wish to sentimentalise these past moments. We want them to help us focus on family prayer in the times ahead. Can we re-introduce them in some form even this year in our homes and parishes? Bible study groups are wonderful and found in most parishes and some families. Thanks be to God! What about other forms of family/parish prayer, exemplified above?

Are they on a kind of “danger list of threatened species”?

PRAYER IN THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH It is perhaps in the Gospels of Luke (chapters 1 and 2) and Matthew (chapters 1 and 2) that we can learn most about prayer in the life of the HOLY FAMILY. Perhaps you may wish to read slowly these passages alone or with your families and friends over a period of time.

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has published a wonderful and accessible reflection on these Infancy Narratives in the New Testament.

May I recommend you to purchase a copy of “Jesus of Nazareth – the

Infancy Narratives” (2012).

We all realize that very little is known of the first 30 years of the life of Jesus. We do know that he lived with the Blessed Mother, Mary and St. Joseph in obedience in Nazareth. Despite this “silence” of Nazareth, using both the scriptures and the reflections of Benedict XVI, we can perceive a little clearer what family prayer may have looked like in the Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

To assist our reflections, I wish to offer two humble observations for your consideration.

…FAMILY PRAYER IS LED BY PEOPLE OF FAITH First, whatever practical expressions of prayer may have taken place in the Holy Family of Nazareth; we know they were led by two people of great faith. In the scriptures both Our Blessed Mother, Mary, and St. Joseph are presented as fearless people of faith.

Consequently, in our efforts towards deeper family prayer, I call on parents, grandparents and guardians of children to a deeper conversion into the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This will happen by prayer and repentance. I encourage you to BE what you ARE – people of faith! People of faith can best lead children into faith and prayer. Let us be more confident in this! It is a kind of vertical dimension to family prayer. Evangelisation begins deep in our hearts and then flows from it.

Page 12 - Catholic Life, November 2013

…EXAMPLES OF FAMILY PRAYERS FROM THE SCRIPTURES.

IS FAMILY PRAYER A PART OF YOUR FAMILY LIFE AT PRESENT?

Secondly, such deep faith gives expressions to prayers of faith. In the Gospels, especially in St Luke’s Gospel, there are some truly beautiful prayers that were prayed by or to or about the Holy Family. We can repeat them slowly and prayerfully now and share with each other what they could mean for us today. They may form a part of the horizontal dimension to family prayer. Hopefully, this would lead to practical expression of love and charity, especially to the poor and oppressed of our world.

1. What are some of “the great difficulties there are to pray in families these days”?

For example, there is the Hail Mary prayer, prayed in part by St Elizabeth to Mary at the Visitation (Luke 1:42).

How can they be avoided or minimized?

2. “A little examination of conscience regarding family prayer”: • What is the current state of family prayer in your home?

• What about in the homes of your children and grandchildren?

• When are prayers prayed at home?

• What types of prayer are prayed?

• Do you see family prayer a priority?

Then there is the Magnificat, Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting (Luke 1:46-55).

The Benedictus is the beautiful prayer of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, soon after the Baptist’s birth (Luke 1:67-79).

We must not forget the short and profound prayer of the “righteous and devout” Simeon as he held the baby Jesus in his hands and prayed in front of Mary and Joseph the following (Luke 2:29-32). This prayer is sometimes called the Nunc Dimittis or Song of Simeon:

FAMILY PRAYER IN MY OWN FAMILY LIFE 1. Can you recall … the “heritage” of family prayer that you have been given by your own family background? Try to list them in your mind How much of this heritage continues in your family life today?

As devout Jews, Mary and Joseph must have taught Jesus the Psalms.

It is truly wonderful to pray the psalms that Jesus prayed. Some of my favorite psalms are: Psalms 23, 63, and 139, What about you?

2. Do you have religious pictures or crucifixes visible in your home?

In our Catholic treasury of prayer, a summary of the coming of Jesus into our world is called The Angelus.

3. Reflect/share about the times when your family prays together with deep faith:

Dear Friends, you will find attached to this LETTER a series of practical helps in deepening or starting FAMILY PRAYER in your family – or extended family. Please use them or other resources to assist you over the next twelve months to focus on FAMILY PRAYER and the overall theme of FAMILY EVANGELISATION. Your local parish family will encourage and assist you.

What significance do they have for your family?

• Who brings the group together?

• Do you use the Bible as a basis?

• Do you create a special setting e.g. with a candle or crucifix • What other factors contribute to making these meaningful times?

We pray:

Heavenly Father, We pray your blessing on the YEAR OF FAMILY PRAYER. We pray for a rich harvest of families encountering Jesus more deeply as the centre of their lives and families.

May all families be made strong in your love and mercy.

We pray for members of our families that concern us deeply for one reason or another. May you bless and heal them. Protect them from the evil one.

We make all our prayers through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, AMEN The Most Holy Family, PRAY FOR US Our Lady of Perpetual Help, our Diocesan Patroness, and Star of the New Evangelisation, PRAY FOR US St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, PRAY FOR US. +Bishop Christopher Prowse

PRAYER IN THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH 1. Reflect/share about the people in your life who have developed your ability to pray.

• How did they do this?

• How do you go about teaching your children or others to pray?

2. How does prayer affect the way you live your everyday life?

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 13

$2.5 million appeal under way for Bairnsdale THE appeal to raise $2.5 million to refurbish the historic St Mary’s Church in Bairnsdale has so far raised over $120,000.

The appeal was launched at the church’s centenary celebrations on October 20.

Parish priest Fr Peter Bickley said today that most of the funds raised so far came from several large donations with one individual contributing $40,000.

There was also a $25,000 donation and several at $10,000.

People wanting to contribute to the appeal should contact the parish centre on 5152 3106.

The centenary was marked by a dinner dance attended by about 220 people.

At this event East Gippsland MLA Tim Bull launched the church history book written by Shirley Tanner of Bairnsdale.

This is available for $20 from the parish centre.

100 years Catholic life in this area of East Gippsland will continue to flourish.”

He referred to the first reading from Exodus, in which the story was told of the Israelites having

St Mary’s Bairnsdale Centenary the advantage while Moses kept his arms raised but the enemy gaining the advantage when he lowered them.

The image of Moses with his arms held high was similar to what happened during the Eucharistic Prayer and other prayers of the Mass when the celebrants raised up their hands as they prayed.

“This reminds us in gratitude of the 100 years of celebration

CHILDREN from St Mary’s School sign a reflection after communion at the centenary Mass.

Fr Bickley spoke on the history of the church and the need to expend considerable funds to restore and maintain it for future generations.

Heritage architect Arthur Andronas then outlined the works and Bishop Christopher Prowse launched the appeal.

The centenary Mass in the church the following day filled the pews as Bishop Prowse thanked the Lord for 100 years of Catholic life at St Mary Immaculate Church.

The Mass was attended by local dignitaries and priests who had formerly served in the parish – Bishop-Emeritus Jeremiah Coffey, Fr Denis O’Bryan, Fr Bernie Mahoney, Fr Brian O’Connor, Fr Brendan Hogan, Fr John O’Kelly, and Fr Frank Freeman SDB. He said that in thanking God for gracing us with the opportunity of not only looking back over the last 100 years with gratitude but also looking forward with great hope and trust to the future.

“We pray that over the next

“How many times over the last 100 years have couples walked up this aisle for marriage or have had loved ones come to this Church to pray for and bury their beloved dead?

of the Sacraments here in this church of St Mary’s.

“Over the last 100 years how many times has the priest raised him arms in praying the Eucharistic Prayer during the Mass?

“How many times have peo-

“We also recall the times that people have come here looking for the mercy of God in confession in the sacrament of reconELDER Bairnsdale parishioners Judy Ward and Roger Reinhardt ciliation.

“The elderly would have share the cake-cutting duties. gathered here many times to Earlier in the day, Bishop He said the painting was aptly receive the sacrament of anoint- Prowse had unveiled a friend- named Serenity and the yacht ing of the sick in the midst of ship plaque at the Bairnsdale featured was the Nelly built their infirmities.” parish centre with members of by local parishioner Bernie Bishop Prowse said hope, the local Aboriginal commu- O’Kelly. mercy and charity especially to nity.

He then pointed out that tied the poor and marginalised must Frank Brown-Graham rep- alongside the yacht was a small be hallmark characteristics of resenting the parish presented tender which had been built the life of parishioners at St Bishop Prowse with a framed by Bernie’s brother Fr John Mary’s Bairnsdale in the past, painting featuring a yacht sit- O’Kelly. present and future. ting on the quiet waters of New“So, whilst we gather togeth- land’s Arm. er to thank the Lord for the last 100 years in this Centenary year of this Church we also look forward in hope and trust in God to the next 100 years.

“We have launched now our Restoration Fund to enable practically this Church to be able to be maintained properly in a fitting manner as a Temple of God and Presence of the Holy Spirit in Bairnsdale. We pray that this Restoration Fund will be financially very successful.”

(The full text on the homily is available on the Diocese web page www.sale.catholic.org.au) BISHOP Christopher Prowse admired his farewell gift which is held by Chris Power.

THE centenary cake made by Pauline Connley. ple come to praise God and to bless him in this Church as they have brought their children for Baptism and Confirmation or through the Rite of Christian Initiation have brought their adult friends along for Baptism?

THE highly talented musicians and singers who lead Mass in Bairnsdale week in and week out.

At the beginning of Mass, Aboriginal elder Marion Pearce gave the traditional welcome to country, then revealed for the first time an experience she had in 1967 when as a young woman with her first baby she got off the footpath to allow a white couple to pass, as was expected of Aboriginals back then.

This couple had brought her back to the footpath and told her that she never had to leave the footpath again. This was a life-defining moment for her.

Mrs Pearce then said Bishop Prowse was a great friend of Aboriginal people and she had known him a long time from when he used to attend Aboriginal Catholic meetings in Melbourne.

“He’s a good man, a friend of Aboriginals,” she said before exchanging a warm embrace with the bishop.

ABORIGINAL community members gather with Bishop Prowse, Fr Peter Bickley, Fr Denis O’Bryan and Marion Pearce following the unveiling of a plaque which reads “As your take your next step, remember the first people who walked this land.”

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Page 14 - Catholic Life, November 2013

The share market is a good place to invest in the long run IT seems a while since I wrote a purely share market column but after a couple of suggestions I thought it time to write about my favorite investment market again.

The share market is a good place to invest. History has shown that over many, many years, people who have stayed invested in shares for long periods become very satisfied investors and can accept the volatility of the markets, knowing that in the long run, they will do better than investing elsewhere.

They’ll have greater returns, almost certainly more tax effective income and definitely be more flexible with their options. Cash isn’t an investment – it’s merely a store of value, which inflation and tax will erode over time.

Since the Global Financial Crisis of late 2007 to early 2009, many investors have been overly wary of either returning to the market, or starting to invest directly themselves. That’s a pity, as over time many have missed out on getting some excellent returns.

By remaining intimidated they are failing to make the most of the opportunity that’s presenting itself. I’m not suggesting by any means that people should rush out and buy any share just for the sake of it.

What I do suggest is that investors should look at reality, and then make effective and historically proven strategies to invest. After all, if you have

Quick calendar

What’s on & when

NOVEMBER

DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells

managed, employee superannuation, it’s probable that your fund already has you exposed to a substantial share portfolio.

Let’s look at some history, to help you. Since the turn of the 20th century to now, on a rolling 10 year period eg measuring January 2001 to January 2011, February 2001 to February 2011 etc, the share market has never gone down in the decade. Not once for any of the 1233 rolling periods right up to the end of last month, not even from the “Great Crash” of 1929.

(G.Wilson, of Wilson-HTM) Now, none of us own the market, and not all listed securities are counted in the index, but a reasonable investor prepared to accept that the share market is a long term investment would not have lost money, making sensible decisions.

Our All Ordinaries Share Price Index reached 6811 points in November 1, 2007. History shows that we can expect it to be higher than that before November 1, 2017.

From today’s closing value of the index, that’s a rise of just over 26 percent needed in four years. That equates to a compound rate of almost exactly six

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percent each year.

On top of that has to be added the value of dividends and then the value of franking credits – so add another four percent at least. That means we’re looking at an average compound annual return of 10 percent for the next four years, and it will probably be higher.

No market goes up in a straight line, though. There will be volatility. An investor needs to accept that to get from A to B there will be turns, corners and even some bumps in the road, but eventually they’ll get to their destination. They won’t get there if they stop travelling too early – with any growth market asset.

The usually quoted indices, All Ordinaries and ASX 200 do not include the benefit of reinvesting dividends. For these we use the ASX 200 Accumulation Index or the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index.

Our market is just over 5400 points, still more than 1400 points below its record, yet the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index is at record high as I write. It’s at record highs, but we are still looking at 10 percent growth over the next few years, too. This demonstrates what can be achieved if dividends are reinvested.

The share prices fell in the GFC, but dividends, in most cases, only fell for a short time.

With that fall in share prices investors were buying more shares with every dividend reinvested.

When the share prices start to rise, as they always will in time, then the total value increases far more. The investor has more shares and therefore more growth. The possibility of reinvesting dividends in capital growth is one of the advantages of the share market.

For this reason I feel the Accumulation Indices are a far better measurement of the share market performance.

For an investor looking to the future rather than the present, the share market still offers a great opportunity.

I recommend that new investors look for professional advice before investing – but from someone who will listen carefully – and someone who can look to the long term. Don’t use the market to try to get rich quickly.

• This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and Baillieu Holst Ltd did not take into account the investment objective, the financial situation and particular needs of any particular person.

Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you need to consider, with or without the assistance of an adviser, whether the advice is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.

19 - Installation of Bishop Christopher Prowse as Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra, 11am 19 – Central region meeting, Drouin, 7.30pm 20 – West region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 21 – Presentation of the BVM memorial 24 – Christ the King solemnity 24 – Celebratory Mass for newly ordained Fr Siju Xavier, St Michael’s Church, Traralgon, 9.30am 30 - St Andrew Feast Day

DECEMBER 1 – Advent begins 1 - Celebratory Mass for newly ordained Fr Siju Xavier, St Michael’s Church, Berwick, 10.30am 2 – Deadline for December Catholic Life 3 – St Francis Xavier memorial 5 – Valley region Christmas lunch, Morwell Club, noon 5-7 – Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Melbourne 6 – St Nicholas memorial 8 – End of term for most secondary schools 8 - Celebratory Mass for newly ordained Fr Siju Xavier, St Mary’s Church, Bairnsdale, 9am 9 – Immaculate Conception solemnity 11 – Catholic Life publication 15 - Celebratory Mass for newly ordained Fr Siju Xavier, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 9.30am 20 – School holidays begin (primary schools) 24 – Christmas Eve 25 – Christmas Day (Holy Day) 26 – Boxing Day 26 – St Stephen Feast Day 27 – St John Feast Day 28 – Holy Innocents Feast Day 29 – Holy Family Feast Day 31 – New Year’s Eve

2014 JANUARY 1 – New Year’s Day 1 – World Day of Peace 5 – Epiphany 12 – Baptism of the Lord 17 – St Anthony 26 – Australia Day 27 – Australia Day public holiday 28 – St Thomas Aquinas 31 – St John Bosco

FEBRUARY 1 – St Brigid of Kildare 2 – Presentation of the Lord 3 – Deadline for February Catholic Life 5 – St Agatha 10 – St Scholastica 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes 12 – February Catholic Life published

MARCH 5 – Ash Wednesday 10 – Labor Day public holiday 14 – Valentine’s Day 14-16 – Camp Nazareth, Diocesan Family Retreat, Trafalgar East

17 – St Patrick’s Day 19 – St Joseph 24 – Deadline for April Catholic Life 25 - Annunciation

APRIL 2 – Catholic Life published 4 – 1st Term holidays begin 6 – Daylight saving ends (turn clocks back 1 hour) 13 – Palm Sunday 18 – Good Friday 19 – Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 20 – Easter Sunday 21 – Easter Monday public holiday 22 – 2nd Term begins 25 – Anzac Day public holiday 25 – St Mark 27 – Canonisation of John Paul II and John XXIII 27 – Divine Mercy Sunday 29 – St Catherine of Sienna

MAY 11 – Mother’s Day 24 – Our Lady Help of Christians

JUNE 1 – Ascension 2 – Deadline for June Catholic Life 8 – Pentecost 9 – Queen’s Birthday public holiday 11 – Catholic Life published 15 – Trinity Sunday 22 – Corpus Christi Sunday 24 – Nativity of St John the Baptist 27 – 2nd Term holidays begin 27 – Sacred Heart of Jesus 29 – Sts Peter and Paul

JULY 5 – St Thomas the Apostle 14 – 3rd Term begins 22 – St Mary Magdalene 31 – St Ignatius of Loyola

AUGUST 6 – The Transfiguration 8 – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 11 – Deadline for August Catholic Life 11 – St Clare 15 – The Assumption 20 – Catholic Life published 28 St Augustine of Hippo

SEPTEMBER 7 – Father’s Day 13 – St John Chrysostom 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross 19 – 3rd Term holidays begin 21 – St Matthew 27 – St Vincent de Paul 27 – AFL Grand Final

OCTOBER 1 – St Therese of Lisieux 4 – St Francis of Assisi 5 – Daylight saving begins (turn clocks back 1 hour) 6 – 4th term begins 6 – Deadline for October Catholic Life 15 – Catholic Life published 15 – St Theresa of Avila 18 – St Luke 28 – Sts Simon and Jude

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 15

The churches at Calvi on the isle of Corsica he island of Corsica has been ruled by Genoa and then by France for the past 800 years, so its religious culture is that of Mediterranean Catholicism.

The city of Calvi, Corsica’s former capital, situated on a rocky promontory in a bay on the north-west of the island, has a dramatic and picturesque backdrop.

With its large bare granite boulders the location is somewhat reminiscent of Wilson’s Promontory, except the town has a warm climate, 30,000 people and a marina with hundreds of yachts and luxury cruisers.

On the top of the promontory is a large fortified citadel, first built by the ruling Genoese in the 12th Century. Its massive rampart walls were designed to defend the town from attack by sea. During this period Genoa was the ruling sea power in the western Mediterranean.

The citadel is a walled town, with the Cathedral of St Jean Baptiste in its centre. The church is now a pro-Cathedral; Calvi once had its own bishop, but is now under the jurisdiction of the bishopric of Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica.

The cathedral was first constructed in the 13th Century, and has been rebuilt a number of times since; the last time was in 1576, when it was redesigned in the form of a Greek cross.

Churches in this region are of medium size, with a central dome, and almost as wide as they are long. Many began as

T

History with Patrick Morgan Romanesque structures in early medieval times, but have been modified into basilica form since.

Inside they have white stucco walls, with a mixture of decorations in Italian, classical and Baroque styles, as well as plaster statues of St Francis of Assisi and St Therese of Lisieux with roses, once common in Australian churches.

The cathedral contains an ebony crucifix known as the ‘Christ of Miracles’, as its public exposure during a siege in 1553 is said to have turned the invading Turks away. Next door to the cathedral is the Oratorio of St Antoine, a chapel with ancient frescoes, now used for meetings of religious fraternities, and for concerts.

The style of Corsica’s Catholicism is like that of southern Italy and Sicily, based on hymn singing and public displays on feast days such as Corpus Christi.

This form of Catholicism is visual, theatrical, colourful, emotional and communal, a form of spectacular public pageantry many centuries old.

Banners, crosses and statues are carried in procession by penitents and local religious confraternities. The Sicilians

of Mirboo North have a similar custom of carrying their saint through the streets of the town once a year. Catholicism in eastern Europe is in contrast based more on private piety and the veneration of icons.

Calvi has confraternities of St Erasmus and St Anthony, groups of brothers who, like the Knights of Malta, carry out charitable works. St Erasmus is the patron saint of fisherman, a key occupation on an island, the interior of which largely consists of mountainous tracts unsuitable for agriculture.

We happened to be in Calvi on the Nativity (feast day) of St John the Baptist, to whom the cathedral is dedicated. Before Mass on that evening a procession led by a large crucifix wound its way through the narrow stone streets of the citadel towards the cathedral.

The procession consisted of fraternity members in grey and maroon capes, followed by parishioners, and finally the parish priest, Archpriest (Monsignor) Valery and altar boys.

After the procession entered the cathedral, an elaborate sung High Mass was conducted, concluding with veneration of the relics of St John the Baptist.

His statue on a bier was added

Some reflections for Advent THE ADVENT OF CHRIST,

by Edward Sri, published by Servant Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 101 pages, rrp $19.95.

WITH Advent beginning shortly, this is a book which many readers may find of assistance in their prayer life over the period.

For each day of Advent there is a short scripture reading, a few thoughts from the author and then a reflection to ponder.

The writer invites readers to put themselves into the Jewish world of the 1st Century and follow the narratives of Matthew and Luke whose Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth.

In setting the scene for the Advent reflections, the author gives a short introduction of the ways the two Gospel writers deal with the subject.

The reflections do not end with Christmas but continue through to the Epiphany.

A MARY CHRISTMAS

by Kathleen M. Carroll, published by Franciscan Media, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 94 pages, rrp $19.95.

IF you get past the bad pun in the title of this book, it is wonderful little reflection on the life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother, Mary.

Her seven joys transform the

Talking about Books Christmas season by reminding us to savor glad tidings, close relationships and new beginnings.

The tradition of the Seven Joys of Mary dates back to a Franciscan novice in 1422 who had a strong devotion to Mary.

He used to weave a garland of flowers to place on the head of a statue of Mary.

When he took on new duties as a friar he was told he would not have the time to collect flowers and so he was heartbroken.

However, in a vision Mary instructed the novice to offer a garland of prayers by reciting Hail Mary’s while reflecting on one of the joys of her life.

According to legend, the novice master observed the young man at prayer and saw an angel transforming the prayers into a crown of flowers - beautiful roses separated by lilies.

The prayers became known as the Franciscan Crown Rosary and while the joyful contemplation points have sometimes differed over the centuries, they now commonly

reflect on the annunciation, visitation, nativity, adoration of the Magi, finding the child Jesus in the temple, the appearance of the risen Christ to his Mother and finally, the assumption and coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.

This book tells the story of each of the “joys” to give readers something to ponder while praying.

JOSEPH - THE MAN WHO RAISED JESUS by Fr Gary Caster, published by Servant Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 128 pages, rrp $22.95.

LITTLE is known of Joseph but we get glimpses of the type of man he was from the Bible and the catechism.

The author draws on these virtues, his patience, faith, purity and courage.

Joseph becomes the perfect model for fatherhood, a man willing to raise a son he knew was not his own.

This book proclaims the influence of Joseph on Jesus.

THE procession makes its way through the streets of the citadel at Calvi on Corsica. to the final procession, accom- during a British naval bompanied by the sounds of church bardment of the Calvi fortress bells and Corsican hymns ring- in 1794. A short lived Angloing out over the citadel.

Corsican kingdom, which came Below the citadel is the port into existence during the revotown of Calvi, with its old lutionary years in France, was wharf and new marina. The terminated by a French invasion town church of Sainte Marie- led by the Corsican-born GenMajeure is situated among nar- eral Napoleon in 1796. The disrow cobbled streets. It was con- coverer of the New World, the structed in 1765 in the Baroque Genoan Christopher Columbus, style and is painted in a pastel is said to have been born in shade of rose.

Calvi.

Its side altars contain a paintCorsicans are strongly naing of the Assumption which is tionalistic, seeing themselves a also carried around the streets race separate from the French. in processions. Its slender bell They have their own language tower has arcades at each level based on Latin and Italian, but in the Tuscan manner. When we the common speech of comvisited it a priest was hearing munication on the island is now Confession openly on a church French.

The Corsican word for church, bench, not in a confessional for example is ghjesgia, combox.

Calvi is surrounded by a bowl pared with its Italian counterof mountains which stretch to part chiesa. The Mass involves over 2700m, higher than any four languages; it is mainly said in the Australian Alps. Small in French, with some parts of chapels in the mountain villag- the liturgy like the ‘Gloria’ in es above Calvi are basically in Latin, with hymns and readings the Romanesque style. Gothic in Corsican, and the Sunday architecture, common in north- Mass leaflet in Italian.

Though Corsica has been ern Europe, did not reach this ruled by France for over two far south.

A unique Romanesque chapel centuries now, the culture of of the Trinity and St Giovanni the island remains as much Italexists at the village of Aregno. ian as French. The aromatic It is constructed in stone of three scrub which covers the coastal different colours, representing regions of the island is called the three persons of the Trinity, maquis.

Local guerillas who hid in with arches in the facade in a distinctive style which derives it when they resisted outside conquerors were known as the for the Italian town of Pisa.

Corsica had a troubled history ‘maquis’, the name eventually during the later 18th Century given to the French resistance in the period leading up to the to Nazi Germany during the French Revolution. The British second world war.

In some places near the coast were looking for bases in the Mediterranean (similar to those one finds groups of gum trees at Gibraltar and Malta) to shore transplanted from Australia in up their naval supremacy over the 19th century to dry up the swamps. the French.

Admiral Nelson lost an eye

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Page 16 - Catholic Life, November 2013

Testimonies to the benefits of family prayer

AT the launch of the Year of Family Prayer testimonies encouraging prayer were given

by Dominic and Leonie Ryan, Joan Robertson and Jarryd Atkinson.

Dominic & Leonie Ryan: Dominic: Family life today can be a very hectic experience.

In many families both parents work in order to provide for their children as best they can.

Sport, social and artistic endeavors can seem to pull a family every which way.

Leonie: This makes it difficult for families to connect with each other as they might have done in the past. Text messages, Facebook updates and even emails are challenging the faceto-face manner in which family members may have communicated in the past/ Dominic: Many people are beginning to realise the importance of down time – time where we can switch off our devices and reconnect with others personally, and time when we can be on our own to think and reflect.

Leonie: Many of us are also recognising the need to reach out beyond the self to others.

The modern world can be hard to limit these opportunities and it can seem that the stranger is to be feared, not a brother or

sister to be helped.

Dominic: That is why we feel that the diocesan focus on family prayer can be helpful. In moving our focus from self to the broader community, and to God we can all be helped to see that we are being called to live in communion with each other and God. Leonie: The diocesan focus on family prayer can help build a sense of shared community, a sense of shared fellowship. It can be an opportunity for God to touch out lives through, and in spite of, the busyness that surrounds us today.

Joan Robertson: Recently I read a reflection in a Catholic school newsletter that I would like to share with you. The focus of the reflection was family prayer.

We all know the Nike symbol.

A Big tick. Probably just about everyone in the world would recognize this Nike symbol.

Whenever we think of Nike, we also think of their slogan, “Just Do It!” As the manufacturer of sporting goods, this slogan means that when it comes to sports, don’t just talk about it -- do it!

It when on to say: In the Gospel, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. After teaching them

SECONDARY schools youth minister Jarryd Atkinson talks about family prayer. At left is Joan Robertson who also spoke.

what would become the ‘Our Father’, he said to them, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

In other words, Jesus was telling his disciples that the most important rule of prayer is -“Just Do It!” We talk a lot about prayer.

When someone is sick, we say, “We need to pray for the sick.”

When we see examples of poverty, we say, “We need to pray for the poor.” When there is war in the world, we say, “We need to pray for peace.” We talk a lot about prayer, but what we really need is to “Just Do It!” Sometimes it is difficult to know how to pray, where to begin and how to start. Prayer is simply communicating with God, listening and talking to him. Praying together through our Church communities, school communities and fami-

By Anne Taylor THOUGH a Year of Grace ended on Pentecost Sunday 2013, the liturgy to conclude both a Year of Grace and a Year of Faith was held at Marist Sion College Warragul on October 31.

This Mass celebrated the great gift of faith which is nurtured and shared in our parish communities through all those called to holiness.

With All Saint’s Day falling on the following day, the opportunity to focus on both historical and living saints was timely.

This celebration also launched the Year of Family Prayer in our diocese and those gathered recited a Prayer written especially for this Year and were later presented with a prayer card for distribution and

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Jarryd Atkinson: When I heard the diocese was entering into a Year of Family Prayer I started to think

about how beneficial it would be for the people of the Catholic Church within our diocese.

I realised that promoting and supporting the idea of family members engaging in prayer on a more regular basis, would not only bring them closer together as a unit, but bring them closer to Jesus and ultimately the Catholic Church.

This year offers an excellent chance to nourish the faith within all family members from children, to teenagers, to adults and to grandparents – through communication with Christ on a more localized, but shared, level.

We often hear people say that the Australian Church is largely occupied by elderly people, but there is still a place for the young. I say, that the Church is for the family, and the Year of Family Prayer is an excellent way to extend the invitation to all families to come and be a part of the larger Catholic family.

Concluding the Year of Grace

Reflect On Your Life

For more information contact:

lies will help us all grow closer and be more intimately connected to God. In this Year of Family Prayer let us all make a powerful statement by taking on board and centering ourselves to God through Prayer.

So let us begin today by Just doing it.

It can be as simple as: “God, help my uncle who is now unemployed to find work.”

“Please help my sister who is having an operation tomorrow.”

“Give me calmness and patience during my Maths exam on Monday.”

“Thank you for giving me good friends.”

“Thanks for helping me to stand up for a boy who was being victimised yesterday.”

So you can see how prayer can be meaningful when it comes from the heart.

use in our parishes.

A Year of Grace was explored in different ways and to differing extents across our parishes. Reciting the Year of Grace prayer became a regular occurrence at many Masses and meetings while the image of Christ the Pantocrator was presented to a new generation through its inclusion on the prayer card.

A survey was conducted online to give people an opportunity to reflect on a Year of Grace and to respond to four questions which will be collated and presented to the Australian Catholic Bishops. Many thanks to those from the Sale diocese who contributed.

Some of the responses reinforced the notion of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’, and while there were negatives (a Year of Grace passed some people by and was received lukewarmly by others), there were also many positives, all of which provide food for thought.

Here are responses to two of the questions for you to ponder.

In answer to the question ‘What difference has the Year of Grace made in your life’? some of the responses were: • “It’s helped me to take time to reflect on who Jesus is for me and how I’m called to share in Christ’s mission to serve” • “Made me more aware of Grace in my life and in others around me” • “Time to think about what Grace is to me and it helped my prayer life” • “To be more aware of the Spirit in my life. To know that we are graced and that whatever gifts or talents we have come from God” • “Encouraged me to have a greater focus both personally & professionally on my faith” • “It has helped me contribute my talents to my parish & community” • “Time to reflect on the sim-

ple ways that God is present in the world.”

In answer to the question ‘Share a moment of grace you have experienced,’ some of the responses were: • “To be open to the gift of other people as bearers of Christ” • “The birth of a child” • “When someone thanked me for doing what I do in my work every day – just doing my job” • “On reflection, I realised that some seemingly mundane things that I have suggested to people have actually been hugely influential in changing the course of their lives. The grace lies in being in the right place at the right time and a force beyond myself inspiring me say words that prove to be significant for the people involved” • “Prayer - Whilst prayer is part of my life, I feel that in this year I have made a more conscious effort in this area. I feel that there have been moments of clarity gained through my ‘conversations’ with God” • “I am grateful for my family” • “During a whole school liturgy for mums the children’s singing and participation was so prayerful and enthusiastic for their Mums, a moment of God’s grace at work” • “Every Holy Communion, every Confession”.

Many thanks to all those who contributed in any way to animating a Year of Grace in our diocese. May we continue to reap its fruits and may the Grace of Faith be nurtured as we move into our Diocesan Year of Family Prayer.

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 17

world news ...

world news ...

Solomons school gives thanks for new truck ST Peter’s College, Cranbourne has been acknowledged for its efforts to raise funds which went towards a bus for a school in the Solomons.

Principal of Bishop Epalle Catholic School in Honiara, Ambrose Dolofera, praised the effort of students, families and friends who raised more

Another priest from India next year ANOTHER India priest will be coming to Sale Diocese next year.

He is Fr Anthony Rebello from a new Indian order of priests known as Voluntas Dei. He is a Latin rite priest, rather than the Syro-Malabar rite in which most of our Indian priests have been ordained.

Fr Rebello is currently going through the lengthy immigration process and is expected to arrive in the first half of 2014.

than $10,000 (about $71,000 Solomons) in 2012. “The school cannot forget the help and assistance that your school/ students have provided for us.

“Indeed, with the arrival of our school vehicle, it has really created a lot of meaningful changes to the lives of every Epalle student as well as to us the teachers here.

“Words cannot express how much we appreciate the kindhearted attitude and help given to us”.

At the time of the donation, the school was overwhelmed by the generosity, and how the funds would purchase a transport vehicle, which was greatly needed, to allow for students to undertake religious retreats, without extra costs to the school.

Ambrose Dolofera goes on to say “Obviously, it had greatly changed our lives and we cannot just stop thanking all of you for that. Truly all of you really deserve our credits for

being our ‘Good Samaritan’.

“Everyone here is so proud of it, especially travelling on a new vehicle in and around Honiara town. We stood tall amongst other schools here in Honiara.

“You all have a blessed day and may our good Lord and saviour be with us all”.

Roger Hampson, house leader and teacher at St Peter’s College, who participated in the 2012 trip, and is again due to leave with seven students later in November, tells in 2012 “The trip capped off a year where St Peter’s College staff and students had learnt about the environment and culture of Honiara and had put a lot of time and effort into raising funds for them”.

When he returned from his trip he told us “It was wonderful to see their appreciation and what a difference it will make to their day-to-day lives first hand”.

He goes on to say about

THE new school bus purchased with the aid of St Peter’s College. not only the students who schoolies events, they also put participated in the 2012 time aside, throughout what Solomon Islands Immersion was a very busy year of study and Cultural Program, but those for them, to ready themselves who are about to cap off their for the trip by learning about the years involvement in Solomon Islands environment 2013 with an eight day visit at and culture and to raise the the end of this month much needed funds for their “We, at St Peter’s College, donation”. are extremely proud of these The school has raised a similar students, who not only gave amount for the Solomons this up the opportunity to party year. with their friends and peers in

Caritas responds to disasterous Asian typhoon PHILIPPINES - Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, is responding through its partners on the ground in the Philippines to the devastating aftermath of the super Typhoon Haiyan.

The monster storm battered the country with winds of more than 330kmh and had a diameter of approximately 800km wide.

The United Nations estimates that 4.3 million people have already been affected, and in Vietnam, authorities warned many hundreds of thousands of people could also be affected.

In the Philippines authorities have reported the death toll could reach into the tens of thousands following the typhoon the strongest in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land.

So far Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world has committed more than $1 million to relief efforts through its member organisations. Caritas Australia has committed $100,000 so far.

Caritas Australia’s humanitarian emergencies coordinator, Richard Forsythe, said the impact has been “catastrophic” with millions forced to flee to safer grounds. Reports of damage from Caritas’s partners in the region are slowly beginning to surface. It will take several days for the true impact of the super typhoon (locally known as Yolanda) to come to light and the death toll looks set to rise, along with the reports of damage.

“Caritas Australia, our partners in the Philippines and other aid agencies are mobilising resources to help people and the government in the most af-

fected areas,” Mr Forsythe said.

“We are assessing the needs and preparing to do everything we can. The devastation has certainly been on a massive scale. We are working closely with our partners on the ground in co-ordinating emergency services to help those affected.

“Caritas Australia is particularly concerned about the impact on Bohol where around 281,000 people are still living in makeshift shelters and tents and another 89,000 people are living in evacuation centres and settlements in the area following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.”

The devastation is expected to be worse than last year’s Typhoon Bopha which caused extensive damage across the country in December 2012, killing more than 1000 people.

Food and water are scarce and there are no telecommunications in many areas. The UN has reported scenes of total devastation in the city of Tacloban.

The roads there are impassable and the only means of travel is by helicopter.

Other parts of the country such as Leyte and North Samar Island have also been devastated.

“We are ready to respond through our networks in any way we can to this disaster,” Mr Forsythe said.

Caritas Australia runs a longterm community development program in the Masbate Diocese, in the Philippines, which was in the typhoon’s path.

The Caritas network began preparations on Thursday to mitigate the potential disastrous impacts on communities in which we work.

Our partners in Masbate and across the Philippines have worked with communities to

make preparations for the extreme weather, especially those who live near the seashore.

Caritas teams are in the field to assess needs.

“We ask that you join us in keeping these vulnerable communities in your thoughts and prayers as they endure this emergency. We will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses,” Mr Forsythe said.

“Up to 20,000 tarpaulins are being forwarded for emergency use, along with 1 million water purification tablets to help 16,000 families.

“Another 18,000 emergency shelter supply kits, 5,000 water, sanitation and hygiene kits,

and 5000 non-food item kits are also being delivered.”

“Our response teams are travelling to many of the areas hardest hit to see what people need and how we can help them.

They are travelling to Ormoc, Tacloban, Palo and southern Samar. A second team will travel to Panay Island on Tuesday for Capiz and Iloilo provinces.

“We are devastated by this disaster and Caritas is currently moving tarpaulins to Cebu City so that we can provide families with inevitable shelter needs.”

In Vietnam, Caritas Australia’s partners have been bracing for the worst, particularly in Da Nang and Hue.

“I was in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province yesterday and met local authorities. Central and local steering committees have met and made all preparedness plan,” said Snigdha Chakraborty, Country Manager, Catholic Relief Services (Caritas US), Vietnam.

“We also have seen people putting heavy sand sacks on roof tops to protect them from high winds.”

Donations to Caritas’ Emergency Response Fund help provide immediate humanitarian relief whenever and wherever disaster strikes around the world.

College East Timor immersion SALE - Five Year 11 students and three staff members from Catholic College Sale have returned from a 14 day immersion in East Timor.

Although the College conducts a number of immersion experiences for their students, this is the first time experience in East Timor.

The group was led by Br Frank McIntosh who has visited East Timor on a number of occasions.

The Marist Brothers have been working in East Timor for more than 13 years and along with providing support for the local people, the Marist Brothers run the Teachers College in Baucau.

An immersion is quite different from a camp or a tourist visit. Students can gain an insight and an appreciation for the harshness and beauty of the lives of the people while experiencing living conditions quite different from their own.

An Immersion experience gives

students a chance to ‘walk in someone else’s shoes’; to integrate with the local community and observe first hand a different way of life. It is a spiritual journey between us, the people and the land.

One of the accompanying staff members, Peter Centra said “The visit to East Timor was certainly a very rewarding experience for us all. The students were excellent and really immersed themselves into the culture, language, food and the many other aspects that make up life in East Timor. They were a credit to their families and to the College.”

Mr Centra said that there were also quite a few challenges and confronting times, but the group met all the challenges in a very unified and positive manner.

The contrast between life in East Timor and Australia was light years apart and he thought it would take a while to make sense of difficulties of basic liv-

ing and surviving for many people in East Timor. Basic infrastructure, water and sanitation remained issues.

The group took time to pay a visit to the Resistance Museum, Chega Museum and Santa Cruz cemetery which also proved to be very sobering and sad when reflecting on the forced occupation of East Timor by Indonesia.

Br Frank and the group undertook a fundraising project 12 months before the trip to raise funds to improve a number of educational institutions including the Catholic Primary School in a town called Abafala, along with the Literacy and Youth Centre in Ponte Leste and a Youth and Study centre called Oasis, in a very poor area of the town of Baucau.

The college community raised a total of over $24,000 for improving the education opportunities and facilities for young people in East Timor.

Page 18 - Catholic Life, November 2013

For the Young and Young at Heart Colour in Mary and Jesus

Time for a Laugh

THE husband and wife go to a marriage counsellor after 15 years of marriage.

The counsellor asks them what the problem is, and the wife goes into a tirade listing every problem they have ever had in the 15 years they’ve been married.

She goes on and on and on.

Finally, the counsellor gets up, goes around the desk, embraces the woman and, kisses her passionately.

Needless to say, the woman is stunned and sits quietly with a dazed look on her face.

The counsellor turns to the husband and says, “This is what your wife needs at least three times a week.

Can you do that?”

The husband thinks for a moment and replies, “Well, I can get her here on Monday and Wednesday, but Friday I play golf.”

A MAN is lost in a hot air balloon which has been drifting over farmland for hours.

Finally, he looks down and sees a farmer and shouts to him, “Where am I?” The farmer looks up and shouts back “You can’t fool me, you’re in that basket!”

CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and so we have this picture of Mary and baby Jesus for you to color.

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Send entries to Catholic Life Colouring Contest. c/- PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820.

This month’s prize winner THIS month’s winner is GRACE ADAMS, 10, who attends St Joseph’s Primary School in Korumburra.

It has been some time since we have visited St Joseph’s so we will be there soon.

We have been busy over the past month and have got behind in deliveries.

We still have a prize to drop in to St Michael’s, Traralgon from last month but hopefully both prizes will be delivered as soon as we get back from the bishop’s installation in Canberra next week.

SHOWING off the prize she won in our colouring contest is Kiara Brusamarello, 8, from St Joseph’s Primary, Wonthaggi.

A GUY is sitting at home alone when he hears a knock on the front door.

When he opens the door, he encounters two sheriff’s deputies, one of whom asks if he is married and, if so, whether the deputy can see a picture of the wife.

The guy says “sure” and shows him a picture of his wife.

The deputy looks carefully at the picture and then gravely says, “I’m sorry sir, but it looks like your wife’s been hit by a truck.”

The guy says, “I know, but she has a great personality, is an excellent cook, and lets me play golf whenever I want to!”

HOSPITAL regulations usually require a wheel chair for patients being discharged.

A student nurse, found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn’t need help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly

let her wheel him to the elevator. On the way down she asked him if his wife was meeting him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

“She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

JACOB, age 87, and Rebecca, age 85, are excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding and on the way they pass a chemist. Jacob suggests they go in.

Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: “Are you the owner?”

The pharmacist answers “Yes”.

Jacob: “We’re about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?”

Pharmacist: “Of course we do.”

Jacob: “How about medicine for circulation?”

Pharmacist: “All kinds.”

Jacob: “Medicine for rheumatism, scoliosis?”

Pharmacist: “Definitely.”

Jacob: “Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?”

Pharmacist: “Yes, a large variety, the works!”

Jacob: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills, antidotes for Parkinson’s Disease?”

Pharmacist: “Absolutely.”

Jacob: “You sell wheelchairs and walkers?”

Pharmacist: “All speeds and sizes. Why do you ask?

Is there something I can help you with?”

Jacob says to the pharmacist: “We’d like to nominate your store as our Bridal Gift Registry.”

AN elderly couple went to breakfast at a restaurant where the “seniors’ special” was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $4.

“Sounds good,” the wife said. “But I don’t want the eggs.”

“Then, I’ll have to charge you $6 because you’re ordering a la carte,” the waitress warned her.

“You mean I’d have to pay for not taking the eggs?” the wife asked incredulously.

“I’ll take the special then.”

“How do you want your eggs?” the waitress asked.

“Raw and in the shell,” the wife replied.

She took the two eggs home.

Catholic Life, November 2013 - Page 19

Traralgon students sock it to poverty

Classifieds bingo

prayer

Sacred Heart School

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.

CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 20, 2013 Morwell RSL Club, Elgin St., Morwell Join our annual giant customer Christmas giveaway.

Bingo will be closed from December 20 reopening January 24, 2014.

Further details phone 0401962 404 or 5133 7221 (AH) To our valued patrons, thank you for supporting the children of Sacred Heart School during 2013. 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.

wanted known

THANK YOU St Jude. Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need.

Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.

Let’s leave something for those in need

The Bishop’s Family Foundation helps families by funding charitable projects throughout the Diocese of Sale.

You can help by making a bequest in your will.

If you need more information contact

5622 6600 for some guidelines.

Do it today and sleep easy knowing you have done your part

TRARALGON - October is Mission month and this year Caritas is using a ‘Sock it to Poverty’ theme.

As part of their weekly missions, Traralgon’s St Michael’s Primary School focused over a two week period on Socking it to Poverty! Each child was asked to bring a gold coin donation and an old, odd, washed sock. The socks were hung on a line in front of the 1/2, 3/4 area above the “Sock it to Poverty” sign.

The teachers discussed the theme with their students using open questions like; What does the idiom “Sock it to....” mean?

What is poverty? How we are called to mission?

public notices

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

If so please contact Diocesan Vocations Director

Fr Darek Jablonski 5133 8132 vocations@sale.catholic.org.au

Catholic Life

Classified Ads 1, 2, 3 step advertising 1...Fill in form, one word per square

2... Check cost at right hand side

3...Post form with appropriate amount.

Please send cheque or money order with advertisement to:

CATHOLIC LIFE CLASSIFIEDS CATHOLIC MEDIA GIPPSLAND PO BOX 1410 WARRAGUL VIC 3820 $10 minimum for first 24 words.

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They talked about how it is important we help the poor not just once but all the time. When asked what Sock it to Poverty meant, Grade 1 student, Sid answered,” It means trying to stop the poverty in other countries in the world.

Grade 2 student, Callum said, “It’s cheering people up and raising money. Sid’s idea of poverty was, “When you’re really poor, you can’t build houses, you don’t have enough money for food and you can’t survive.

Both boys agreed, “We should always think about the poor because they’re struggling to survive.”

The school leaders stood under the display each morning, collecting both socks and money.

At the end of the two weeks the money was counted and the total amount raised was $177.55. This money will now be forwarded on to Caritas and the socks are going to a good home - the art room at St Gabriel’s Primary School to be made into sock puppets.

Open letter to priests and religious FROM Max Spencer, president Serra Council of Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific: THE coming months, and possibly the next two or three years, will be difficult for the Church as the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to child Sexual Abuse progresses.

Undoubtedly, all Catholics are saddened by the sinful actions of some priests and acknowledge the hurt and harm caused.

The Serra Clubs of Australia and New Zealand know that the majority of our priests and religious are faithful servants of Christ and our communities.

We wish to express our love and gratitude to those priests and religious who serve us so well and care for us through our lives. We appreciate the pastoral care at critical times in our lives, in sickness and death, and the support and encouragement offered to us to help us follow Christ’s teaching in our daily lives.

Serrans across Australia and New Zealand pray daily for our priests and religious that they may have courage and perseverance in their vocation and we offer our support and encouragement in this difficult time.

Catholic Life Your key to 45,000 potential customers.

Ph 5622 6688

Page 20 - Catholic Life, October 2013

Bairnsdale welcomes guests from Japan school BAIRNSDALE - St Mary’s school community has been hosting 59 Year 6 students and 7 staff members from the Salesio school in Shizuoka Japan on their annual visit to Bairnsdale.

This Homestay Program is one of the most enduring programs of this nature to be organised at a primary school level, as it has been operating for over 20 years.

The Japanese visitors arrived on Saturday at lunch time and after enjoying a barbecue together, the visiting children were matched with their host families to begin their great ‘Aussie Experience’!

A formal assembly held in the new St Mary’s gym kicked off proceedings on Monday morning. A welcome to the country of the Gunai Kurnai people was followed by speeches of official welcome and appreciation by the principals of both schools.

The singing of both countries’ national anthems and other musical items from both Japan and Australia were performed.

The traditional gift exchange took place with the presentation of an impressive and intricate traditional Japanese festival shrine, now proudly displayed in the school foyer.

This beautiful gift was accompanied by a colourful

Koinabori carp flag often seen displayed outside Japanese homes. The current East Gippsland breezes have ensured that this spectacular flag is well and truly swinging on the school flagpole!

St Mary’s reciprocated with the presentation of a beautiful print of our native kookaburras by local, highly acclaimed artist Dawn Stubbs. (Incidentally, also the grandmother of four St Mary’s students.)

Following official proceedings, both schools gathered in the courtyard for the traditional large group photo; the carp flag prominently featuring in the background.

Students together enjoyeda wide range of sporting, language enriching and cultural activities, culminating in the spectacular Sayonara Party at the end of the homestay experience.

THE carp flag appears in the background of this photo of the Bairnsdale students and staff with their Japanese visitors.

International visitors at Koinonia

By Pat Kelly WONTHAGGI - Three consecrated sisters from the Koinonia John the Baptist community visited Australia in OctoberNovember this year.

In keeping with the International character of the Koinonia the sisters are Miriam, a Polish

sister who lives in the Czech Republic, Judita, a Slovak who lives in Italy and Sonia, an Italian who is about to move to Ireland!

The sisters have been the guests of the Australian Koinonia based in Wonthaggi and while they have spend most of their time in Sale Diocese they

have visited Brisbane and, at the time of writing, are preparing for a trip to Adelaide.

During their stay they have visited a number of prayer groups in the diocese and helped at School of Evangelisation courses in Traralgon and Cranbourne.

They are presenting a Joshua course to Koinonia members and parishioners in Wonthaggi this weekend. The Joshua course is about developing a victorious, winning mentality

following the scriptural model of Joshua.

While the Australian Koinonia is very small, it continues to grow and four lay members renewed their commitment and two members joined the community at a special Koinonia Day at Wonthaggi on November 3.

The dream is very much alive for a permanent community of consecrated brothers and sisters to be established in Australia in the very near future.

MEMBERS of Koinonia gather at Wonthaggi.

Strong Sale presence at youth festival

By Cassie Gawley

Catholic LIfe Sale

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

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

AFTER registrations closed at the end of October, 2700 young people had registered for the first Australian Catholic Youth Festival to be held in Melbourne next month.

More than 140 young people from the Diocese of Sale will be attending the festival .

On December 5-7, these young people will travel to ACU and Festival Hall for the largest national youth gathering since World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.

This is a credit to all the parishes and secondary schools

that are supporting this event and taking the opportunity to bring young people to this wonderful event.

The festival is set to be an amazing experience, full of prayer, evangelisation, workshops, exhibitions of Catholic social justice organisations and plenary gatherings.

We keep these young people from the Diocese of Sale and indeed all young people from across Australia who will be attending the festival, in our prayers as they draw closer to this wonderful life-giving experience.