Catholic Life
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Publication of the Diocese Diocese of of Sale Sale
What’s News
Inspired by Bible stories - Page 7
ISSUE 142100 ISSUE
August 2010 November
Columba’s big bush dance - Page 8
Annual vocations feature - Pages 12-14
Bishop’s trip a success BISHOP Christopher Prowse has described his visits last month to Nigeria and India as highly successful. The international missionary focus was strong with the Diocese of Sale being able to have a shared focus with the Church in other parts of the world. In light of the bishop’s recent pastoral statement, he wants our diocese to expand its missionary role in the years ahead.
In Nigeria, the Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, showed him around some of his parishes and pastoral projects for the poor and marginalised people. Bishop Prowse said he was encouraged to see the faith flourishing in a different culture. He accepted an offer to ordain seven deacons as priests during a five hour ceremony in the Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi in Otukpo. Bishop Apochi then offered to
send two Nigerian priests to minister in Sale Diocese and Bishop Prowse was pleased to be able to be involved in the interview process to discern which priests should come here on a three year arrangement. Bishop Prowse said Bishop Apochi read the pastoral letter ‘Finding Home in Jesus’ and remarked that his thinking was along similar lines. It was hoped that in the future the contact between the two diocese would become closer.
The bishop then travelled on to India where he spoke at an international youth and family conference conducted by the Vincentian Fathers of Kerala. He had previously met the provincial of the order in Australia. He said the order conducted the largest mission and retreat centre in the Catholic world and vocations were flourishing. Bishop Prowse said one priest was chosen to come to Sale Diocese and he later accepted a young seminarian to come to
study for the priesthood for our diocese. The seminarian was known to Fr Mathew Joseph of Narre Warren. The bishop also took the opportunity to meet with the families of some of the Indian priests serving in our diocese and to thank them for allowing their sons to travel so far away in the service of God. He said the depth of faith was obvious with several mentioning that as Mary had given her Son, so they were happy to give a son for the work of the Lord.
When learning is a shear delight SALE - Catholic College Sale believes that education should be flexible. It is about providing choices and options, engaging and empowering students to follow different pathways. Two of the many students at the College who are taking the initiative and engaging in learning outside the classroom are Year 11 students Andrew Tulloch and Michael Hamlyn. Under the guidance of the CCS careers teachers, Andrew and Michael recently embarked on a week long sheep handler’s course run by Rural Industry Skills Training. The RIST training programs provide greater opportunities for people choosing agriculture as a career. Their courses comprehensively embrace the latest in technological change within agriculture and are focused on achieving positive practice change in the workplace. The focus of training offered by RIST is short course skill development training, linked to qualifications in Agriculture. These courses provide participants with the opportunity to increase knowledge and develop strategies to facilitate positive on farm change. Shearing coordinator Steve
Kennedy said “The sheep handler’s course teaches students about the requirements to be a shearer or a wool handler. It teaches them what they can do with the skills they learn and where those skills could take them.” Students not only learnt how to shear and handle the wool but how to work as a team. He said the course covered Occupational Health and Safety components and included lots of character building. Both Michael and Andrew were shearing sheep by day three and were focussed and engrossed throughout the entire week. Andrew said of the training, “You couldn’t do without it if you are going to work in the industry. There were a lot of skills on offer and it gave me a broad picture of the industry. The students each plan to have a career in agriculture and this experience has assisted them to develop skills, make contacts and have a clearer vision of their future. PICTURED RIGHT: Michael Hamlyn shearing his sheep during the sheep handler’s course.
Last month for funding applications BISHOP’S FAMILY FOUNDATION
Applications to the Bishop’s Family Foundation for funding of programs which assist families within Sale Diocese close at the end of August. Application forms and eligibility details at www.sale.catholic.org.au
Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 508, Sale 3853
Page 2 - Catholic Life, August 2010
To God’s people in the Catholic Diocese of Sale IN recent weeks I have visited the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Nigeria. Our Nativity Sisters in the Cranbourne Parish of St Agatha’s, kindly provided the initial contact. Sisters Anna, Mercy and Grace are well known in the Otukpo Diocese and I am very grateful for their introductions. Fostering vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life must be a real priority for our diocese. This happens at both the local and international level. The Diocese of Sale has always been open to receiving vocations to the priesthood from overseas. So many of our priests have their origins overseas. This will continue in the future. I made a pastoral visit to Nigeria to not simply foster overseas priestly vocations for our diocese, but also to begin a real exchange of missionary gifts between the Diocese of Sale and another diocese in Africa. I believe in the Diocese of Otukpo, we have found such a diocese. The Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, is an energetic pastoral bishop. He welcomed me most warmly and accompanied me on an extensive visitation of his diocese. It is a rural diocese, with Catholics abundant in all the characteristic gifts: youth, joyfulness, rich in vocations, strong Catholic family and community life. Both of us are keen to develop in the years ahead, God willing, closer missionary bonds between Sale and Otukpo. The Bishop has read my recent Pastoral Letter to you, “Finding Home in Jesus” with delight and commented to me that many of
ing our missionary response to our Catholic life, in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, being expressed not simply on the levels of parish, diocese, Australia - but involved me directly in his final also in the world around us. discernment of which priests were Let us place this pastoral to be sent. They will be welcomed friendship and communion with among us! our two dioceses, in our prayers Our diocese will need to reflect and pray that, in the years ahead, carefully in the times ahead on it will grow and mature in Christ. how we can reciprocate and offer May Mary, Help of Christians, the Diocese of Otukpo, Nigeria, intercede for us. our own ‘exchange of gifts’. Let us pray carefully about this. + Bishop Christopher Prowse It is not simply about a practical Catholic Bishop of Sale response, although that is part of an exchange. It is more about see-
An Exchange of Gifts: Africa: ‘You are welcome’
the perspectives I raised in the letter are also shared by him in his diocese. This is surely sign of the Holy Spirit among us. As an expression of this missionary bonding of our dioceses, I accepted Bishop Apochi’s most gracious invitation to ordain to the priesthood some of his deacons. In an unforgettable ordination ceremony, I ordained to the priesthood seven of his deacons on Saturday July 17, 2010. Everywhere I travelled in Bishop Apochi’s diocese, I was met with smiling faces constantly greeting me with the typical African greeting “You are welcome!” They really mean it! Despite all the signs of poverty surrounding them, they are a people rich in hospitality and vibrant Catholic life. We visited some of his 42 parishes and communities’ 75 parishes, two million Catholics and 88 major seminaries. From the annual applications of about 600 for the seminary, about 6-10 are carefully chosen. About 28 percent of Nigeria’s 150 million population are Catholic. It was an honor to greet quite a few of the families and religious communities of our own Nativity Sisters in Cranbourne. On your behalf, I thanked them for sending their loved ones to the Diocese of Sale on mission. As a real sign of missionary commitment with us, Bishop Apochi has carefully selected two BISHOP of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Apochi with Bishop of Sale, Bishop priests to come to the diocese of Christopher Prowse during his African visit. Sale on mission. The bishop even
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Bishop Prowse opens new Mary MacKillop Hall YARRAM - The new Mary MacKillop Hall and associated playground at St Mary’s Primary School has been officially opened and blessed by Bishop Christopher Prowse. At his first official function since returning from overseas, he bishop said he was pleased that it was his second visit to the school to open new facilities in less than a year. This latest project was funding by the Federal Government’s
BFF funding requests to close soon CHARITABLE organisations seeking funding from the annual disbursements of the Bishop’s Family Foundation only have two weeks to submit applications. The foundation has about $100,000 to allocate this year. The charter of the foundation is to assist families living within the area covered by the Diocese of Sale. Since its inception 10 years ago the foundation has handed out more than $600,000. Application forms can be downloaded from a quick link on the home page of the diocese website www.sale.catholic.org.au. All applications for funding must be received by the end of August.
Building the Education Revolution package and would be a fine addition to the school and community. During the liturgy, he referred to the Gospel reading of “Let the children come to me.” He said what Jesus was saying was that you did not have to be sophisticated to be a Christian, just be like a child. This did not mean you should be childish but it meant that just like a young child had to depend on its parents to help it do things, we should be totally dependent on God’s promises. Bishop Prowse said there was tendency in Australia for some people to say they did not believe in God. However, Christians not only firmly believed in a loving God but also knew that it was through God’s grace that we could grow strong. He said a Catholic education allowed children to open their lives to the hidden power of God so they could become fully human. “People who live a life closed to God are not fully alive.” Bishop Prowse said God also gave us wonderful people like Mary MacKillop who would be canonised as Australian’s first saint in a few months time. Mary MacKillop was open to letting God work within her. Her wonderful visit led to her developing a federal education system which extended even as far as New Zealand before the Australian colonies came together at Federation. How she managed to do it in
Migrant Sunday celebration PAKENHAM – A special Mass to celebrate Migrant Sunday will be held at Pakenham on August 29. It is the first time in our diocese that Migrant Sunday has been celebrated as a diocesan event and organisers hope it will become an annual celebration. Bishop Christopher Prowse will celebrate the Mass, with other clergy of the diocese concelebrating. The Mass will be at 2pm in St Patrick’s, Pakenham.
Organising committee member Fr Jacob Thadathil said he expected many people to participate in their national costumes. The readings, hymns and even various processions would be led by various ethnic communities in different languages. Invitations have been extended to all parishes, schools, and Catholic organisations to attend. After Mass, there will be time to mix with each other, sharing various national foods.
BISHOP Christopher Prowse blesses the doors of the new Mary MacKillop Hall watched by (from left) student leaders, Senator Gavin Marshall, assistant director of Catholic education Lorraine Barlow and St Mary’s principal Dianne Austin. days of the horse and cart was amazing. He said Mary MacKillop reached out to the children in the farming areas of Australia to ensure that they could have the very best Catholic educations. Yarram was one of the places where her Sisters of St Joseph had a long presence to this day. He told the children to open their hearts like Mary MacKillop did to God working within them. Senator Gavin Marshall, rep-
resenting the Federal Government, said great effort had been put into improving facilities at schools right around Australia. The government was happy to spend taxpayer funds on improvements which would go a long way to improving educational outcomes for students. He said an important second part of the program was the economic stimulus it provided to see Australia through the global crisis.
Assistant director of Catholic education Lorraine Barlow paid tirbute to the contribution of the Josephites in Yarram and other places within the diocese. She thanked the government for its funding and congratulated everyone who had worked hard to make the project a success. Principal Dianne Austin thanked the architects and builders for their work before those attending were entertained by the children of the school choir.
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The Catholic Development Fund Serving the Diocese of Sale Telephone: (03)5144 4311 Email: cdf@sale.catholic.org.au 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, August 2010
Atheism versus our faith
Close to home
THE print of a painting by renowned wildlife artist Dawn Stubbs which was presented to Bishop Michael McKenna during his visit to Catholic College Sale will bring back memories. Featuring pelicans perched on mooring poles at Port of Sale the scene is only about 100m from where the Bathurst bishop’s parents Max and Marie lived. If not for the trees behind the moored boats, the artist might have even had a glimpse of the McKenna home. The print was bought because of its Sale connotations with no knowledge of its closeness to his parent’s home. In another fluke, the tune When the Saints Go Marching In was played as the bishop entered the stadium. He revealed later that he just happens to barrack for St Kilda!
Untimely warning
WE wonder sometimes about those yellow cones erected in supermarkets and service station which advise cleaning is in progress and suggesting a slippery floor. The signs never seem to move at a service station we frequent and there is never any sign of the floor having been freshly mopped. At the supermarket it is much the same. Methinks it is just a way to minimise liability if someone happens to fall. But the bush lawyer in me also thinks that if the signs are seen regularly enough without any obvious cleaning taking place, they cease to have an impact and it could be argued that someone who slipped might not as careful as they should have been, given
that the signs normally meant nothing.
Keen buyers
PROOF that advertising in the classifieds in Catholic Life work came when we offered a Nikon camera for sale last month. It was surplus to requirements after purchasing a more modern digital SLR with interchangeable lenses. We could have sold the camera more than a dozen times and a couple of callers even asked if we had any more. Admittedly the advertisement carried a photo to give some prominence but the results were certainly there. If you have something to sell, why not give us a try. The coupon is on page 19.
Slight delay
WITH virtually every school in Australia having a new building to open courtesy of the Federal Government funding boost to stave off the global financial crisis, things have hit a snag. At the moment no openings can be planned because plaques cannot be ordered, because noone knows whether Labor or Liberal-National Party will be in government after the election on August 21. If the government wins the election Labor members will be on hand to unveil plaques but if they lose the task will be passed to Coalition members.
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ATHEISM has certainly come out of the closet in recent times unbelievers are out, proud and even loud. It is easy to become confused or even threatened by their seemingly unshakable and strident convictions. They force us to ask “Is faith a delusion”? In their view, faith defies logic and contradicts science. Yet people still believe. Given that faith is thousands and thousands of years old, perhaps it might be more accurate to ask why some people lack the capacity for faith And lately, it is not only atheists who are voicing their belief in non-belief. In an audience of business and community leaders, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Glen Stevens spoke about his belief in God: “I would say that, despite claims to the contrary, there is a God. This is worth checking out and the critical issue people have to deal with is, was Jesus Christ who he claimed to be? If he wasn’t then you can forget about it, and if he wasn’t then I am living in a fool’s world,” Mr Stevens said. Many of our political leaders are very open and proud of their faith and religious belief, about their ‘living in a fool’s world’. There seems to be little or no serious discussion about why some people are atheists and others aren’t. The same evidence is available to every one of us, so why do we reach such radically different conclusions? Do those of us who are ‘believers’ lack intelligence? Are we simply gullible? The reality is that there are plenty of seriously intelligent people on both sides of the fence. The first question is, have we lost the tools necessary to have a sensible moral discussion? It would appear that all ideas are now considered equal. Is this because the values of modern culture hold freedom, authenticity, self-reliance to be sacred above all else? So often, for example, moral issues become questions of pragmatism and utility, even fashion rather than questions based on moral and ethical principles. Yet our society rests on the assumption of moral absolutes: right, wrong, good and bad. That is based on the belief that there is an objective truth and from that firm foundation we can judge good and evil. Our society rests on the presumption of the existence of God. In the view of the atheist, everything points to the nonexistence of God. But what are the consequences of that belief ? The philosopher Nietzsche, an atheist proclaimed that “God is dead and we have killed him.” Declaring God dead opened the daunting prospect of having to rethink morality in the absence of God. The cornerstone on which Western society was built had been removed. Most atheists never even consider or even imagine that challenge. In the West at least, science stepped in to fill the vacuum created by the death of God. It would appear that there is a scientific answer for everything – if
Reflections by Jim Quillinan
we don’t have the answer now, then it is simply a matter of time before science will produce it. But science does not produce certainty – there is still doubt, still much to be discovered. The same can be said for faith. In reality, faith informs and enriches science and science informs and enriches faith. For the atheist it is possible to live ‘a good life’ without belief in God. Non believers can still be good people – sincere, genuine in their desire to create a fair and just society. But the challenge issued by Good Friday takes us a step beyond that – to go beyond our desire to have our own way, to make our own rules, to live our own lives, but rather to acknowledge the invitation of God - to live, in the eyes of the nonbeliever in a fool’s world where suffering does have a meaning, where loving others even to the extent of giving up one’s own life has real meaning, where giving means without counting the cost or the gain, where moral issues are not just defined by pragmatism and utility. It means to explore deeper questions that science does not attempt to address: Why am I here? Why am I like this? How do I live a good life? What is the real meaning of my life? It also means that there are moral imperatives such that without faith in a good and loving God, we struggle to understand During the Good Friday service we pray for those who do not believe the gospel of Christ: “... for those who have never heard the message of salvation, for those who have lost their faith, “... for those who are indifferent to Christ, for those who actively oppose Christ by word or deed.” So what we do we ask of God? Faithful and compassionate God, you create and love all the peoples of the earth; may your Good News be so lived and proclaimed, that all are brought home to your presence, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Firstly, we acknowledge that God loves those who believe and those who do not. That may not be easy for us, given the strident language of some.
Secondly, those who believe have a serious obligation, perhaps all the more urgent today – to live the Good News in such a way that those who do not believe can come to know how much God loves them, to live the Good News in such a way that those who do not believe can see how God’s ways can bring the love, the peace, the meaning, the direction that we all crave in life. In that way we reach out to those who do not believe and seek to engage them in real dialogue – the dialogue of life. The first and most effective way of doing that is, in the words of Pope Paul VI, by engaging in such acts that stir basic questions in others – why are they like this, why do they live in this way, what is it or who is it that inspires them? Why are they in our midst.* That is the real challenge for the believer. *Evangelii Nunciandi #21
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Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 5
Nine pilgrims visit the Holy Land IN June a group of nine pilgrims from Sale Diocese went to the Holy Land of Israel. They were Trish Mulqueen, Betsy Brown and Fr Mark Godridge from St Mary’s Parish Newborough; Robyn Rebbechi and Joe Brady from St Joseph’s Warragul; Michael McManamon from Leongatha; Noela Hyams and Kristine Crawford from St Agatha’s Parish Cranbourne and Peggy Harvey from St Michael’s Parish in Berwick. Our pilgrims, together with other pilgrims from around the world, participated in an indepth study of Matthew’s Gospel. Sion Sisters, Sr Bernadette Lynch and Sr Mary Reaburn (both Australians who have lived in Sale at different times), hosted the pilgrims at Ecce Homo Convent located in the Old City of Jerusalem. The program included many excursions to significant holy places within Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed before his arrest, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which commemorates the sites where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead. The pilgrims retraced Jesus’ steps and recalled his agony, as they walked the Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. The pilgrims travelled to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, and visited the Church of the Annunciation, built on the spot where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus. Some other highlights included the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor; the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus performed many miracles; Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes; the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, and of course Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. Pilgrims renewed their baptismal promises in the River Jordan, the place where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. The pilgrims also experienced the Negev Desert, where they encountered the land’s indigenous Bedouin people and
enjoyed their traditional hospitality, as well as having some quiet reflective time overlooking the magnificent Nahal Tselim canyon. Betsy Brown, one of the participants, said “One of the many highlights was floating in the Dead Sea. The water felt sort of thick and oily due to the high salt content.” The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on earth, 387m below sea level. The nine pilgrims agreed that this experience was an opportunity of a lifetime. Fr Mark Godridge said “To walk in the footsteps of our Lord was truly quite amazing.” Trish Mulqueen, religious education coordinator at St Mary’s Newborough, said “We learnt so much and this has to change the way we pass on our faith. The depth of understanding we experienced in Israel was in fact, life changing.” PICTURED TOP: The pilgrims enjoying the shade under a centuries old olive tree.
Bishop Coffey continues his recovery BISHOP Jeremiah Coffey has continued his recovery following surgery in Ireland. He continues his recuperation and expects to return to Sale Diocese towards the middle of September. He became ill while on holidays with his family in Ireland.
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Page 6 - Catholic Life, August 2010
Towards a new plan for Catholic education CATHOLIC Education in the Diocese of Sale has developed well in recent years, following the direction set out in the visionary five year strategic plan Catholic Schools Journeying Together, 2004-2008. It is pleasing to acknowledge the significant role played by the previous director of Catholic education in the diocese, Dr Therese D’Orsa and the bishop of the day, Bishop Jeremiah Coffey. Under the leadership of these two fine educators, the plan was developed and implemented, providing us with a very sound footing on which to base our future. That plan actually expired in 2008, but we have waited until our new bishop had taken office and established his directions before we began to develop its successor. That time is with us now to develop a new plan for Catholic education in the Diocese of Sale. Bishop Christopher Prowse’s pastoral letter, “Finding Home in Jesus” establishes a platform on which Catholic education in the diocese can build its own new strategic directions, directions that will be rooted in the forthcoming Diocesan Pastoral Plan, yet addressing the specific issues facing Catholic education in coming years. The Catholic school is “a place of ecclesial experience” called to “take its stand within the organic pastoral work of the Christian community” (The Catholic Church at the Threshold of the Third Millennium, #12) Thus schools resonate with
Bishop Prowse’s desire that the Catholic Church in Sale rise to its fundamental role of evangelisation. Our Catholic schools provide a perfect opportunity to respond to the Bishop’s reminder that we are called to evangelise not only our active Catholic community, but also those who are no longer Christian and those who have never been Christian. Our schools, situated in the market-place of education, are uniquely placed to speak to all people. We need to respond in our planning and in our practice to the needs of all three. The new plan we develop will need to recognise and acknowledge all these factors and many more.
Our context
We are in a challenging time for education and for Catholic education in particular. Highly interventionist government policies are changing the landscape frequently and significantly, meaning that we will need to be strong in our identity and clear in our planning and purpose. At the same time, it is incumbent on us to acknowledge the role we play in society as well as our accountability to government for funding received. Such a multi-faceted approach sits comfortably with Church teaching which reminds us that “the school cannot be considered separately from other educational institutions and administered as an entity apart, but must be related to the world of politics, economy, culture and society as a whole.” (The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium, #16).
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Students the focus
The focus of that plan will be on the reason that schools exist, namely the students. It will be a constant reminder that school improvement, while critically important, is not an end in itself. A school seeks to improve so that it can better fulfil its core mission to educate young people. Our plan will be built on three pillars that identify the three core purposes of the Catholic school along with two underpinning foundations without which no school or system can be effective. Those three pillars, the core purposes we have as Catholic schools, are: 1. To bring every student to a knowledge and love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and mediated to us through the Catholic Church. For simplicity sake we label this our faith purpose 2. To enable every student to learn to their full potential so that they can lead fulfilling lives
and contribute positively to the development of a healthy and just society. We label this our learning purpose 3. To enable every student to thrive in an environment that enhances their social and emotional growth. We label this our growth purpose. These three, faith, learning and growth are our core purposes. They focus, not on the school, but on the student, reflecting the Church’s teaching that the goal of the Catholic school is the development of the human person. At the same time, they provide a solid foundation for us to integrate faith and culture and faith and life as we are called by the Church to do. Underpinning these core purposes are two foundations, which are critical, though not ends in themselves. Rather they support and serve our three defined pillars. Thus, consideration of them, while important, will give rise to a set of goals and strategies that are really secondary to those centred on our students. Those secondary elements, supporting our three pillars, are: 1. Developing sound stewardship, ensuring that schools and resources are well managed and 2. Building the capacity for visionary leadership throughout
the entire organisation of system and school These three pillars and the two underpinning foundations are the framework around which our new plan will be developed. It is, essentially, a model, and no model can fully express complex reality. The three pillars do not stand separate. There are many elements of the work of Catholic schools that see them touching, intersecting. There must always be a healthy interplay between them. Over coming weeks, we will be seeking to identify and articulate the principal issues to be addressed within and between those pillars and their foundations. Identification of those issues will lead, in turn, to the development of aspirational, but, at the same time, realistic goals towards which we can move. We are in dynamic times. Our plan needs to be flexible enough to accommodate the unexpected and yet sufficiently structured to provide a sense of coherence and strategic direction. It is very clear that the unexpected, mainly deriving from very active and unpredicted government policy developments, became the norm in the implementation of our previous plan! At the same time, however, we cannot afford simply to dissipate our efforts in unplanned ways. It calls for a delicate balancing act. This is an exciting opportunity for us as Catholic educators, as people committed to Catholic Education to make a difference to our society and to the lives of the young for whom we have responsibility.
Saints feast day at St James’ NAR NAR GOON - St James Catholic Primary School, Nar Nar Goon celebrated the feast of St James on July 23. The school celebrates its patron saint St James the Apostle every year around this time. They began the morning with a whole school and community Mass in the St James Church. Fr Carra from Maryknoll celebrated the Mass, the school choir sang, led by music teacher, Mrs Peta Waterhouse. Mrs Waterhouse also played the flute. Principal Anne Hassall spoke about her travels to Spain last term to learn more about the history of St James. Afterwards the Parents and Friends Committee put on a great morning tea for parents, students, staff and visitors in the new hall foyer. Every year the school celebrates St James Feast Day with visiting performers. This year from Nexus Arts it had a performance in the new hall by Andreas Litras titled, The Story of Odysseus – Myths and Monsters. The students from Prep to Grade Six had a great time and were very engaged in the performance and the story. There were so many laughs and the teachers were very silly doing seagull impersonations. The children enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by all the parents and organised by the Parents and Friends Committee. The Parents at St James always do such a great job with catering at the school. It is fortunate to have such a great community spirit.
TEACHER Julie O’Donnell enjoys lunch with Ryan Martin and Georgia Armstrong. To complete the day, senior Primary School, Narre Warren. classes played interschool sports They played football, netball against Mary MacKillop and newcombe.
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Phillip Island artist is inspired by Bible stories By Gabrielle Morgan VISUAL artist and printmaker, Michael Morgan, is gifted with a strong creative force. A spiritual man, he delights in the joy of life and God’s creation. He lives at Phillip Island where he is constantly influenced by the changing patterns of nature and the wonderful imagery of the sea. Abstract landscapes often appear on his canvas evoking his sense of place. But this does not limit him as his imagination soars into a realm of its own. Morgan held his first exhibition when he was only 17 and it was opened by the celebrated artist, the late John Brack. In his formative years he associated with artists, Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, John Percival Neil Douglas and Ken Whisson. Now with over 30 exhibitions to his credit and reviews by art critics which read – ‘painter of courage,’ ‘powerful imagery,’ ‘an artist revelling in maturity of skill,’ ‘a revealer of the subconscious,’ – all sum up his immense ability as an artist. He says “I find the world a marvellous and mysterious place. All my works from the beginning have been an exploration of this. As I get older, I find the images by working with less and less thought of subject matter or preconceived idea. “Ideas appear and lead on to another idea. Intuitively, I improvise, and I am often amazed and puzzled by the results. “Signs and symbols appear, influenced by what I have experienced, read, seen and thought about. The depth of my unconscious mind is awakened. “It all happens like a dream, in spite of me; rather like a Bach fugue, the forms intertwine and take on a life of their own. Rich
and lush overlays of meaning feverishly document my being. I just love paint! “Titles for my works are only a guide to put the viewer on alert to many interpretations. The Bible stories to me are the greatest source of poetry, metaphysical truths, mystery and reverberations of nature.,” Morgan’s dramatic painting Jesus on the Water vividly interprets the Bible message in the Gospel of Matthew. The powerfully strong image of Jesus with hand outstretched, in the act of saving Peter is undoubtedly alive to the human condition. “I want the work to speak for itself, to show fear, the awesome power of nature and above all the strength of Jesus giving hope,” Morgan explains. The artist believes, “art is not merely decoration, it must transcend – there should be depth and meaning.” His painting Expulsion from the Temple, based on the story in the Gospel of John, depicts the red clad figure of Jesus with whipcord in hand forcefully driving the money changers out of His father’s house. The artist has discretely placed a poker machine in the left hand corner of the painting to symbolise a present era equivalent to mammon worship. Morgan’s work The Prodigal Son, was selected for the Mandorla Art Award and in 1977 his anti-war print was awarded the Cracow Peace Prize in Poland. In 1992, he based a complete exhibition of 20 paintings on the biblical Song of Songs taken from the 1005 songs of King Solomon. “The purpose of the exhibition was to celebrate the themes of love, music and the nature of Solomon’s love for a woman. I deliberately chose images to
ARTIST Michael Morgan with tools of his trade in his hands. enforce the life qualities of our existence and used a sensual metaphor to show these images.” When commissioned to paint a mural for a Brisbane church, with the constraint of having to finish it within one week, he miraculously created an innovative 12 metre long work which he titled The Creation. With a central cross, predominantly blue background, (not a colour, but a ‘mystery’ as the ancients called it), and symbols of the Holy Spirit, the abstract mural brilliantly expressed the origins of creation. “Whatever people say, or what ever the artist says, it is the work that has the final say,” explains Morgan. THE painting, Jesus on the Water
Account based pensions - To reduce or not? THE Federal Government has announced that for yet another year, recipients of account based pensions may reduce their minimum pension by 50 percent. This is because many funds have had difficulty in maintaining fund values and to pay the full pension amount would create cash flow problems. This is only allowed if the trust deed allows this variation – it is not a right granted by the legislation. I have in the past stated that in accumulation phase, superannu-
ation funds require growth before all else. However, in the pension paying phase, it’s fair to say that cash flow (income) is king. Under legislation, without the government adjustment, if a 65 year old draws a pension, it must be at least 5 percent of the fund value as at the previous June 30. Unfortunately many self managed superannuation funds invested in managed funds have difficulty in maintaining a cash generation of 5 percent each year. This is one reason that
DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells
they are now allowed to draw only 2.5 percent. That’s all right for some, but what happens if that’s not enough to survive? The answer is direct shares, even if you’ve never had any before and despite the greater volatility. In time they will be the only answer to generating sufficient income and also enough growth to keep up with inflation, while all the time maintaining a high level of liquidity. In fact, ASX listed securities are the only assets which can reasonably provide all these! Many financial planners and quite a few share brokers use a “wrap account” for their clients’ super funds. We all know that there are fees involved in this, so let’s have a look at the situation. With, say, 1.5 percent costs involved in the wrap account and a 5 percent pension payment, your fund will need to find at least 6.5 percent free cash flow just to avoid using any capital, let alone any growth. The average yield on a $100,000 term deposit is 6 percent. The current average dividend return (ASX 200) was 4.3
percent last year. Five percent was very achievable and if this was fully franked the gross dividend would be about 7 percent. Some listed debt securities paid over 10.5 percent without franking, so the average returns could be increased dramatically. On the other hand, many (most) managed fund value their units on a “total return” basis, which lumps together income, growth, losses, administration costs and all the rest to arrive at a unit value. So when the fund needs to raise cash to pay fees and pensions then investment units must be sold, regardless of the state of the investment markets. Most of the difficulty in SMSF’s is due to ineffective asset allocations, which result in extra stress in meeting pension payments. To generate the necessary free cash flow at the above rates of return, a fund would need all their capital in term deposits, or 75 percent in average direct equities and maybe with managed funds then it could need 120 percent, clearly an impossible target to achieve.
This is one reason why many institutionally managed pension funds and financial planners indicate that the pension fund will run out by the time the beneficiary reaches age 85 – they will be using capital to pay the pensions. On the other hand SMSFs which keep an eye on generating sufficient cash income to cover all or most of the pensions can maintain a respectable rate of capital growth over time, and ultimately contribute a substantial amount to a beneficiary’s estate. We have clients who have been receiving a pension for that last 13 years and their capital is now double what they started with. They haven’t had to reduce their pension levels by 50 percent to achieve this, either. If you have an account based pension, either self managed or through an institution, have a seriously close look at how its capital is invested, and ask which will last longer – you or your capital. • This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and RBS Morgans 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.
Page 8 - Catholic Life, August 2010
Lexie, the fourth daughter a Good Shepherd By Sr Mary Fermio
ALEXANDRINA(Lexie) MacKillop, who later became Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart.
BORN on September 18, three months after 11 months old Alexander had died, Alexandrina (Lexie) was the fourth daughter of Alexander and Flora MacKillop. At this time the family were living on a property between the Merri and Darebin Creeks, north of Melbourne. Two months later Victoria celebrated permission to separate from New South Wales with great fireworks displays, sports and gymnastics at South Melbourne Cricket Ground where children enjoyed 20,000 buttered buns. Victoria officially became a separate colony on July 1, 1851. Another event of this year was the discovery of gold near Clunes and the following year the rush to the goldfields began. Melbourne became a deserted city and food, fuel and water prices became exorbitant. Families with little money would have found it extremely difficult to raise healthy children. We know little of Lexie’s childhood years but when she was 15 she was in Penola with Mary and Annie, helping to establish the new institute, the Sisters of St Joseph. The family was very concerned about Lexie throwing her lot in with Mary, and her mother, her sister Maggie and her aunt Julia
Celebration of canonisation THERE are lots of events planned in Sale Diocese to celebrate the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The Sisters of St Joseph, founded by Mary MacKillop have had a long association with Sale Diocese and are still present in eight parishes. Over the years there have been 27 convents in Gippsland, covering every parish except Korumburra, Cowes, Moe, Berwick and Drouin. Our current Josephite sisters are Sr Rose Wood (Koo Wee Rup), Sr Doreen Dagge (Narre Warren), Sr Jose Noy (IonaMaryknoll), Sr Christina Scannell (Pakenham), Sr Lynette Young (Wonthaggi), Sr Madeleine White (Orbost), Sr Maureen Philp (Lakes Entrance) and Sr Margaret Brown (Yarram). Details of planned events: Tuesday August 17: A Day for Pastoral Associates, Parish Workers and Religious: Celebrating the Spiritual Heart of Mary MacKillop. Presented by Sr Lynette Young RSJ 10am—3.30pm Teachers’ Centre, Catholic Education Office, Warragul. Bookings:
Sophy Morley, Diocesan Pastoral Office 5126 1063 or smorley@sale.catholic.org.au Wednesday August 18 - Friday August 20: MacKillop Cross Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Sale, facilitated by the Knights of the Southern Cross. The Cross will visit Mary MacKillop Primary School, Narre Warren, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College in Leongatha as well as the parishes of Warragul, Sale and Leongatha Wednesday October 6: Commissioning and blessing by Bishop Christopher Prowse of pilgrims to the canonisation in Rome. 7pm Teachers’ Centre Catholic Education Office, Warragul. Student pilgrims and their parents, staff and parish pilgrims most welcome to attend. Bishop Prowse will be in Rome with our pilgrims and will lead a walking tour of Rome at 3pm on the day of canonisation.Bookings: Sr Rose Duffy csb, 5622 6600 or rduffy@ceosale.catholic.edu.au Sunday October 17: Canonisation of Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Rome. Live feeds from SKY TV 6.30pm (AEST) and from ABC News 24 TV (new service). ABC’s Compass will have a special at 10pm. Other stations will have live crosses and news updates. Live internet streaming will be available from the websites of www.marymackillop.org.au; XT3 and the Archdiocese of Sydney. Several parishes are hosting evening Masses followed by shared dinner and viewing on large screen. Friday November 12: The Diocese of Sale celebrates the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop with Mass at 11am in St Mary’s Cathedral Sale, followed by presentation and images of the diocesan pilgrims’ journey to Rome. Light refresh-
ments to follow. All welcome. Saturday November13: The Ecumenical Commission is holding an event “A Great Australian - Mary of the Cross MacKillop” with guest speaker Sr Lynette Young at the CEO Teachers’ Centre, Warragul at 1.30pm.
Mary MacKillop & Family
Part 6 all expressed their concern. In that same year Lexie moved to Mount Gambier and with Blanche Amsinck, who later became Sr Francis Xavier, opened a school to 12 children. Life became difficult for Lexie and she herself began to have doubts as to her vocation as a Sister of St Joseph. Annie declared that “Blanche could never forget she was an English aristocrat,” and Blanche considered Lexie was disinclined to be a sister. By April 1867 Lexie had decided she was not meant to be a Sister of St Joseph and went back to Penola where her missionary zeal found an outlet in bringing healing and true affection to the Aboriginals and other poor folk of the district. She used every opportunity she had to teach faith and to obtain baptism for these people. Lexie proved herself a gentle, delightful character, kind and ready to help or nurse the aged and the needy. So it would not be surprising that in 1871 she entered the novi-
tiate of the Good Shepherd Sisters at Abbotsford, taking the name Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart. Fr Julian Tennison Woods preached the sermon at her final profession on August 20, 1876. As Mistress of Novices for seven years, she gave evidence of her wisdom and prudence and was loved by all, continuing her readiness to help anyone in need. By November 1882 Lexie’s health had failed due to heart trouble and rheumatism. Her mother, who dreaded December, in which month she had lost three loving members of her family, was in Lexie’s thoughts at this time. Flora hurried from Penola to be with Lexie and she and Annie were with her when she died on December 31, 1882. The Archbishop presided at her Requiem Mass and 26 priests were present. Mary heard the news in Sydney where she had gone on business. Being seriously ill at the time, her letter to her brother Donald was not written until January. She told him of the kindness of the sisters at Abbotsford and of her last conversation with Lexie on the way to Sydney – mostly about him. She concluded “There are only three now left out of eight.” Victor Feehan in In Search of Alexandrina MacKillop wrote about Lexie: “So died a selfless and generous daughter, who, like her sister Mary, brought comfort and love to the poor, needy and lost.” Sources: Archival resource material and MacKillop Family – Sr Philomena McGuigan rsj. • Photo courtesy Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre.
• Next month: The Jesuit priest Fr Donald MacKillop.
Columba’s big bush dance BUNYIP - Columba Catholic Primary School in Bunyip held a Bush Dance at the Bunyip hall with the Billy Tea Bush Band on July 29. Students participated in workshops at school throughout the day, learning new dances with the assistance of the band. Families were invited to come along to the evening dance to join in the fun, dressed in ‘Bushy Gear’. The prizes of wine which was kindly donated by Andrew and Abi Clarke of Jinks Creek Winery were won by Kelly Fox and Jorge Ahrens for their ‘enthusiastic’ dancing. Principal Jan Gubbins took the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work and organisation of music teacher Cathy Edwards in preparing the students for the event. “Cathy ensured that all members of the Columba community had an enjoyable evening and we are very grateful to Cathy and the entire school staff for their enthusiasm and dedication,” said Ms Gubbins.
GETTING into the swing of bush dancing at Bunyip.
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Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 9
Never dismiss possibility of God’s call for you THE Bishop of Bathurst, Bishop Michael McKenna urged students at his former secondary school not to dismiss the possibility of a religious vocation. Speaking at St Patrick’s campus of Catholic College, Sale, during a visit to Sale parish last month, he said God’s call for him to become a priest did not occur until many years after he left school. He said that when he attended St Patrick’s College, as it was then, all his teachers were Marist Brothers, and while not all were saints, some of them were. It was not a bad experience to be taught by the brothers and be in close contact with people who had made a radical commitment to God to let Christ shine in their lives. Bishop McKenna said there were two ways of looking at the world and life and everyone chose one of those paths. “Some people see the world as this is all it is – we are born, live and die. There is nothing more to creation than what we can see and touch.” He said others looked at the world in the Christian way by seeing this earthly life as just a beginning. “We believe that our life experiences are improving us for a greater life beyond this one. The experience of loving and being loved is a taste of the perfect love to come.” Bishop McKenna said that of the two ways of looking at life, he would rather have the second one. It was not just a decision, it was a matter of faith and that gift of faith could make all the difference.
He said that becoming a priest or a religious brother or sister would make very little sense if this world was all there was. It would mean these dedicated religious people were setting aside a normal life and family for nothing. It made perfect sense if there was more to life and all the priests and religious could see, even in this life, blessings which were way out of proportion to giving up marriage and a family life. Bishop McKenna said that when he was at secondary school he did not think the priesthood was the way for him. When he finally decided to enter the seminary, a reference was required from his former school principal Br Jerome who wrote that when the would-be priest was a student he showed nothing to suggest he would be suitable for the priesthood. He said he had to agree with that comment but God was the one who had surprises up his sleeve. In concluding Bishop McKenna said he was confident that more priests, brothers and sisters would come out of the school. The bishop was presented with a framed print by noted Munro wildlife artist Dawn Stubbs. In introducing Bishop McKenna, college principal Br Paul Kane pointed out that he was the second St Patrick’s old boy to become bishop, following in the footsteps of the late Bishop Noel Daly, who was Bishop of Sandhurst. He said the bishop’s path to the priesthood including going
BISHOP Michael McKenna is tempted with some slice by Catholic College Sale principal Br Paul Kane as he chats with college student leaders (from left) school captain Sarah Draper, Chelsea Hunt, Mitch Dyer and Matt Wakely. to Melbourne University to study law, then switching to an Arts Degree before finally ending up as a producer on SALE – Catholic College Sale These two colleges were the Melbourne’s first FM radio sta- will have its first lay principal original two Catholic secondary from next year. colleges in Gippsland. tion 3RRR. Current principal Br Paul Br Paul has been principal at After his ordination he had studied canon law in Rome, was Kane has been appointed leader Sale for the past seven years. The Sale principal’s position secretary to the Australian of the Marist Brother’s formaCatholic Bishop’s Conference, tion community in Fitzroy from has been advertised nationally. The Marist Brothers will mainRectory of Corpus Christi the start of next year. The college grew out of an tain their monastery in Sale Seminary and chaplain of Melbourne University before amalgamation of St Patrick’s which is now home to four which was run by the brothers including one who being appointed Bishop of College Marists Brothers and Our Lady transferred to Sale when the Bathurst last year. of Sion College run by the Sion Traralgon monastery closed last month. Sisters.
First lay principal in 2011
Page 10 - Catholic Life, August 2010
Diocese of Sale
Catholic Development Fund Financial Report 2010
CDF Loans
$M
Vision
28
Our vision is to be the financial institution of choice for the Catholic community of the Diocese of Sale, providing high quality, professional and personalised financial services whilst fostering a partnership committed to supporting the growth of a vibrant and evangelising Church.
27 26 25
Mission
24 23 22 2006
2007
2008
2009
CDF Deposits
2010
Through the provision of high quality financial services our aim is to attract and maximise the financial resources of our Catholic community not only to the benefit of clients but also in order to advance the Mission of the Church by providing the means through which the pastoral, charitable and educational needs of the Diocese of Sale can be promoted and developed. The following objectives are derived from this Mission: • Attract and manage funds invested in the Catholic Development Fund prudently and profitably for the benefit and advancement of the mission of the Church. • Provide competitive returns to depositors. • Offer low cost finance to our Parishes, schools and other Catholic Church entities, for capital works. • Provide a high quality, professional and personal service to clients using modern financial systems. • Provide and maintain a reliable income stream for the Diocese to enable the on-going provision of pastoral and charitable works of the Diocese of Sale.
$M
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Ͳ 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Extracts from the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2010
Income
2010
2009
$
$
Interest on Loans
1,665,061
1,738,211
Income from Investments
1,441,914
2,155,924
Other Income
1,242
267
Total Income
3,108,217
3,894,402
1,390,745
2,245,529
364,649
506,762
1,755,394
2,752,291
Net Operating Surplus
1,352,823
1,142,111
Retained Funds at the Beginning of the Year
3,897,288
3,481,321
Less Expenditure Interest paid to Depositors Operating Expenses Total Expenses
Less Distribution to the Diocese of Sale
(750,000)
Retained Funds at the end of the year
(726,144)
4,500,111
3,897,288
Cash and Investments
41,779,305
47,113,139
Loans
27,570,223
23,886,834
Other Assets
1,499
6,074
Total Assets
69,351,027
71,006,047
64,206,107
66,444,128
Assets
Liabilities Depositors' Funds Other Liabilities
THE CDF office in Foster St., Sale.
644,809
664,631
Total Liabilities
64,850,916
67,108,759
Retained Funds
4,500,111
3,897,288
* Complete audited financial statements are available on request Independent Audit Report to the Bishop of Sale
Our Board of Management MEMBERS of the Diocese of Sale CDF Board of Management during the past year: Bishop Christopher Prowse, Bishop of Sale Fr Malcolm Hewitt, parish priest, Churchill K. John Allman, diocesan solicitor, Sale Tilly Hutton, financial services, Berwick Rasa Bennett, agricultural services, Yinnar Robert Tarraran, education services, Traralgon Gerry Marvin, lending consultant, Korumburra Jason Panozzo-Tilé, financial services, Traralgon Judy McLaughlin, financial services, Traralgon
We have audited the summarised financial report of the Catholic Development Fund for the year ended 31st March 2009 as above in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. In our opinion, the information reported in the summarised financial report is consistent with the annual statutory financial report from which it is derived and upon which we expressed an unqualified audit opinion in our report to the Bishop of Sale dated 2nd July 2010. For a better understanding of the scope of our audit, this report should be read in conjunctionwith our audit report on the annual financial report. BENTLEYS MRI CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Dated in Melbourne on this 2nd Day of July 2010
MARTIN FENSOME PARTNER
Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 11
Diocese of Sale
Catholic Development Fund Financial Report 2010
A Message from the Bishop My dear friends in Christ, In my Pentecost pastoral letter to you, “Finding Home in Jesus”, I call all in the Diocese of Sale to an even deeper commitment of missionary zeal in our essential work of evangelisation. Our own Catholic Development Fund is an important agent of evangelisation for the diocese. On a practical level, my time here as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sale, has coincided with a period of remarkable educational activity. Building the Education Revolution has seen projects underway in almost all schools across the Diocese. Such projects are part of our missionary strategies. In the works of evangelisation, partnerships are critical to the ongoing development of education and faith.
One partnership I am impressed with is that which exists between the Parishes and their Catholic Primary and Secondary schools, and the Catholic Development Fund. The financial arm of the Diocese has five objectives as part of its Mission and I see that those objectives are again evident as I recognise another successful year for the Fund. I also recognise the wonderful service so generously given by the members of the Board of Management and thank those members on behalf of the Diocese. Thank you also to Mr Jeff Davis and the dedicated staff of the Fund. +Bishop Christopher Prowse DD Catholic Bishop of Sale
Management report for the year ended March 31, 2010 THE objectives of the Catholic Development Fund, listed elsewhere in this report, have not changed since its birth over 25 years ago. When looking at the financial year ended 31st March 2010, it is more than ever apparent that those objectives serve our Diocese extremely well. A review of the year’s activities will show that our mission was achieved in every way, despite a year of volatility in the local and international financial markets. More than ever before, the schools and parishes have benefitted from the low cost finance provided by the Fund, with the interest rate charged well below national levels and the dedicated and professional service provided to clients second to none. For the first time the Board of Management set aside money to be used specifically for supporting parishes, an initiative which is now well under way. The distribution to the Diocese has allowed the continuation of its pastoral and charitable works and an increase in the
Retained Funds insulates the Fund which will further benefit parishes and schools as time goes on. Lending activity increased markedly throughout the year and the Building the Education Revolution funding from the government stimulus package, required new management techniques to ensure that schools could continue their projects efficiently. While not strictly part of its charter, the Fund played an instrumental role in the setting up of a mechanism to allow the purchase of land for the development of new schools. Using the Diocesan Projects Fund and the Secondary Land Fund to provide funding for new projects is perhaps the most important financial policy development that has occurred. Now, more than ever, development is being planned on a diocesan front, with the Diocesan Development Committee and the Regional Development Committees making recommendations to the Bishop of Sale. The CDF generated a surplus for the twelve
BISHOP Prowse blesses the St Brigid’s sign at the official opening of the new primary school in Officer which was supported by the Catholic Development Fund.
months ending 31st March 2010 of $1.35 Million, compared to a surplus of $1.14 Million for the previous year. On the negative side, depositor’s funds fell from $66.5 Million to $64.2 Million. This was due in large part to the high level of activity created by the BER projects, the increase in loan funding by $3.68 Million and a large deposit paid on a land purchase. The Board of Management has again successfully guided the CDF through another year. Each member generously donates their time and expertise to ensure the CDF is managed successfully and profitably. The whole Diocese joins to warmly thank them for their work The staff of the CDF, very ably led by Pat Smart, has carried out the years work professionally. The personalised service given to all clients is often commented on and the flow of letters, chocolates and accolades continues. Jeff Davis Tilly Hutton Manager Chair
SIGNING of contracts to purchase land at Cranbourne East for a new campus of St Peter’s College, Cranbourne. Funding for the project is supported by the CDF.
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 12 - Catholic Life, August 2010
What is God calling you to be? Vocations Awareness Week 2010
God calls everyone to have a vocation within the Church VOCATIONS Awareness Week is not just about religious vocations and the many options available.
The week is bracketed by weekends devoted on one hand to religious vocations and on the other to the lay vocation a person choses to live within the Church. This second option can be a life of service, whether married or single, blessed with children or
not. So while we focus mainly on the priestly and religious vocations in this feature, we also cover the lay vocations. Readers may be interested to visit the website www.catholicozvocations.org.au has information on a variety of other vocations within the Church. These include ones rarely heard of today including consecrated virgins and canonical hermits.
The site explains in detail how to live out a lay vocation by becoming more involved in Church and parish life. Having a vocation within your faith is not about becoming ordained or joining a religious order, it is more about become connected to your faith through various means and living your life as a Catholic more fully. Another ordained vocation is the permant deaconate in which a married man can give service to
invite young Australian men to join their peers from other countries for a lifetime of missionary adventure. Columbans are a multi-cultural society. Members of 10 different nationalities work in 15 different countries. Our international membership and diverse experience of mission in different places give us a global perspective on the church and the world. Following the Gospel “option for the poor”, we freely choose to be in solidarity with the marginalised, witnessing first-hand the devastating effects on their lives of violence, poverty, injustice and ecological destruction. This combination of global and Gospel perspectives transforms us and gives us the “mis-
sionary edge” that characterises our life and work. Columbans are at the frontier of the Church’s involvement in working for peace, justice, reconciliation, and a sustainable use of resources. We are at the crossroads of dialogue between peoples, cultures and religions. Columbans respond with Gospel concern to the needs of our sisters and brothers in countries around the world. We call forth a new generation of young Australian missionaries to help carry God’s mission into the future. Take up the challenge that Pope Benedict XVI presented to the youth of the world: Be prepared to put your life on the line in order to enlighten the world with the truth of Christ; to respond with love to hatred and disregard for life; to proclaim the hope of the risen Christ in every corner of the earth. For more information about a Columban Vocation contact Fr Patrick J. McInerney, Columban Mission Institute, Locked Bag 2002, Strathfield, NSW 2135, phone: (02) 9352 8000 or email patrickmcinerney@columban.org. au.
the Church. Sale Diocese has five married deacons, four of them still working within parishes, schools and hospitals. The permanent deacons never go on to become priests but serve the diocese, parishes and schools in various roles. They can perform baptisms, celebrate marriages and conduct funerals but cannot celebrate the Mass or hear reconciliation.
These men should not be confused with seminarians who become deacons usually for the final year before ordination. Deacon Dariusz Jablonski, ordained in Poland and now working in Berwick parish, will be ordained a priest for Sale Diocese in November. Sale Diocese currently has two seminarians at Corpus Christi College but this number is expected to grow next year.
What is special about Columbans at work in the world a married vocation? By Fr Patrick McInerney
COLUMBANS are missionary priests sent “to the ends of the earth”. Our purpose is “to proclaim and witness to the Good News in Jesus Christ of the full Christian liberation and reconciliation of all peoples”. (Constitutions, 101) Traditionally, our members have come from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, and USA. Now our new members are coming from Chile, Fiji, Korea, Peru, Tonga and the Philippines. However, God continues to call young Australian Catholics too, so that the Church’s mission may be truly universal and inclusive of all peoples. Accordingly, Columbans
You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
WHETHER married or single, you can look on your life as a vocation within the Church. Thousands upon thousands of people have been married in the Catholic Church which recognises their union as a sacrament but unfortunately few couples look upon their marriage as a vocation within the Church. Marriage is a sacrament which the couple administers to one another with the priest there to lead the ceremony, ensure that the couple is willingly entering the union and to witness the event. Being married is much more than sharing a wedding day, a couple of golden rings, honeymoon and living together. A marriage is a life journey with someone with whom you are committed to sharing the rest of your life. In the context of a married vocation, a married person is a woman or man who: • Shares a relationship with a spouse which is self-giving, lovegiving and life-giving. • Lives a vow of faithful love
to a spouse through the sacrament of marriage. • Is committed to helping husband or wife grow to human and Christian maturity. • Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in their relationship with God. • Seeks to form a family home. • With husband or wife are the first teachers of their children in Christian faith and values. • May serve the parish community as lector, catechist, musician, liturgist, minister of Eucharist, in care and welfare groups, and on committees. • May serve the Church community in ministries such as social work, health care, education, and lay missionary work, and the wider community wherever time, personal talents, resources and family responsibilities allow. A married vocation is really about a couple living their life to the fullest in close relationship with God, their Church community and of course, themselves, their family and friends.
Will you be a priest for Sale Diocese? WHO? WHAT? WHERE? YOU?
Columbans Missionary Priests To the ends of the earth ...
Fr Patrick McInerney Vocations Coordinator Ph. (02) 9352 8000 patrickmcinerney@columban.org.au www.columban.org.au
If you feel God may be calling you to join the priesthood, talk to our vocations director about the possibilities ahead. Respond to that call by making a confidential inquiry.
Live your vocation! To find out more about a priestly vocation contact our diocesan vocations director: Deacon Tony Aspinall Phone: 0414 468 692 or 5996 6733 Email: vocations@sale.catholic.org.au
CATHCOM CMI-001
Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 13
What is God calling you to be? Vocations Awareness Week 2010
We all have a vocations role THE Documents of the Second Vatican Council remind us that when we talk about ‘vocation’ we need to understand it within the context of baptism. Everyone, therefore, has a vocation! Our Christian vocation is to holiness. Holiness is about being the best possible person we can be. Through baptism, all of us are called by God to become disciples of Jesus Christ, discovering, developing and sharing our gifts and resources with others, as we work together to make a difference in our local and global communities. As disciples of Jesus, Catholics live out their baptismal call, their vocation, as married and single people, or as priests, deacons, or religious brothers or sisters. Vocations ministry, is about creating a ‘vocations culture’
through which people are empowered to choose life, and to discover how best they can “live life to the full”. We all have a part to play in creating this ‘vocations culture’! We need to do this in our homes, our parishes, and our schools. We have a responsibility as adult Catholics to help the younger generation discover where and how they are likely to find true happiness. We need to put all the vocational options before them, as equal and valued possibilities for their future, and to help them seriously explore each of these, in the light of their talents and stories. Vocations ministry is not about recruitment to any one vocational path: it is about awareness. Fostering awareness of possibilities so that people
may come to an informed vocational choice. Today, possibly more than ever, young people need to see marriage as a vocation, as a call from God to live life to the full, and therefore, something which needs to be carefully chosen, and not drifted into. If marriage is seen in such a light then the other ways of living out God’s call - as a single person, a religious brother or sister, a priest or permanent deacon - will also be seen in their true light. How does your parish or school foster a vocations culture? Do you talk about vocations, and present all the life-options to your young people? Do you provide a safe and supportive environment that encourages young people to invest time and effort in explor-
Sister faces the challenges By Sr Sharon Teresa rsj WE are all called and challenged to live in deeper relationship with God, with family and with community. As a Sister of St Joseph I am called and invited to live this out daily. Nine months ago I celebrated my Life Vows in my home town of Yarram, a great celebration that holds wonderful memories. Since then that call, the unfolding journey, to live in deeper relationship continues, (never short of the challenges), greater though of my desire for God and living out this desire, pursuing inner truthfulness and life in myself. My ministry in chaplaincy/pastoral care at Footscray Hospital has many opportunities to be present and comfort for another. Living in Footscray doesn’t offer wide open paddocks and Tarra Valley but it does give a wide variety of cultures and differences. Mary MacKillop’s
www.sosj.org.au
legacy. In this canonisation year I am inspired by Mary MacKillops willingness to “never see a need
without doing something about it”. Together may we celebrate her life of holiness.
SR Sharon Teresa outside the hospital where she works as a chaplain.
victoria@sosj.org.au
Spirituality at the Foot of the Cross By Susan Neylan THE spirit of the Little Company of Mary influences my life. What makes work in LCM health care different? It is true it has all the same ingredients as other health care facilities that are necessary to function and for successful accreditation. The difference lies in the rich heritage from the lives of the sisters of the Little Company of Mary. From the past to the present the example of dedication to the dignity of those they served, the detail to person centered care, the constant reminders to nursing students of “the person can hear you”, the waiting and being there, underline their deep respect for the sick and the dying. The most important thing that has been affirmed in me is that when there is nothing more to do or to say that “being there” is the most important and healing thing. It is just as important and healing for the carer as for the one dying or vulnerable. We are each called … to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with God. Jesus was the incarnation of this. There are followers of Jesus who understand this and live it. Mary Potter, foundress of the Little Company of Mary, is one of them. I have been inspired by the Little Company of Mary and supported by the associates of the Little Company of Mary
through daily life and life of prayer and I have found a place to live out what I believe and what I have discovered and continue to discover in life. The aged, the vulnerable, those who no longer have their own home, those with dementia, those dying, those who are somewhat discarded by society because they are no longer “doing” anything, are a source of life and truth. It is they who call us to truth, to competence, to compassion, to understanding and to a centeredness of “being” rather than “doing”. • Susan Neylan is a LCM associate who works as a pastoral care co-ordinator.
It is not too late to live out your vocation!
Page 14 - Catholic Life, August 2010
What is God calling you to be? Vocations Awareness Week 2010
Nuns tools for good works ST Benedict must have acquireth by a life of laughed when he saw the contemplation in look of surprise on his silence, and the contwin sister, St stant dialogue with Scholastica’s face as he God, and the prayer gave her his Rule. which is without ceas“You are giving us a ing, and the rememtool box and a ladder!” brance of Christ, and she would have exclaimed, the constant gazing laughing too as she imagupon Him, and the ined her nuns at the top of exultation of the soul ladders with saws, crowin Him and the favor of bars and hammers! MOTHER Cyril with the newest novice Sr Malita His love, and the affecAnd indeed, in his Rule and some of the Riverstone community. tion for His commandfor `monos’ (those seeking ments, and the desire God alone), St Benedict provides and “the School of the Lord’s for His good things, and the a list of ‘tools of good works’ service”. meditation upon His glory, and Here at Tyburn Priory, in our the thought about His excellence which are invaluable for removing obstacles which can block rich Liturgical and Eucharistic and His majesty, and the admithe way to union with God and life and the deep joy of belong- ration of his humility”. His holy will, and a 12-step lad- ing to our monastic family, the Our is certainly a wonderful der which leads to `that perfect `tools of good works’ and the life! Come and share our joy! love of God which casts out ladder are powerful aids as we Contact: The Tyburn fear’: that paradoxical Ladder of strive to fulfil the basic work of Nuns - Rev Mother Cyril OSB, Humility of which Christ Jesus `monos’ described so beautifully 375 Garfield Road East, speaks (cf Lk 18:14, 14:11) ...and by an early monastic Father, Riverstone, NSW 2765 Phone: the monastery is the `workshop’ Abba Sicoes: “...the clear shining (02) 9627 5171. of the mind, which a monk
Did you ever have the crazy idea that you might be a NUN? ... seeking union with God in a Benedictine life of divine praise and Eucharistic prayer for the Church and all humanity? For more information contact the
Tyburn Nuns Rev. Mother Cyril OSB Tel (02) 9627 5171 Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Road East Riverstone NSW 2765 www.tyburnconvent.org.uk
Missionary Franciscan
"In all their works the love of God and of all people should shine forth" St Francis Contact: Sr Chris Zammit, mfic Phone: (07) 3357 9922 Email: australianleader@mficaust.org.au
Men of zeal wanted!
BR Jason Duck (right) with Oblate Provincial Fr Harry Dyer OMI who was raised in Newborough. everyone they came into contact By Br Jason Duck with, that Jesus Christ is Lord ‘ZEAL’ is not a word used very and to turn their lives over to much in today’s language. Nor him. But he didn’t just want any was it a word I used to describe man to help him. He wanted men with zeal! He wanted men myself, or anyone I knew. Since I met the Missionary who wanted to change the world Oblates of Mary Immaculate, or in which they lived through the ‘the Oblates’ as they are known, redemptive love of Jesus Christ. Eugene wanted men who were I have come to understand the meaning of this word so much willing to radically change their lives to live a life of prayer and more. The Founder of the Oblates action. I took my first vows and was St Eugene de Mazenod (1782-1861). He came from a became a member of the wealthy family who lost much of Missionary Oblates of Mary their prestige and power during Immaculate on June 27. Why? and after the French Revolution. Because I want to try and make He responded to God’s call to a difference. If you want to change the become a priest after he was moved by how easily the poor world, and if you have passion – people from his home town of which is, zeal - and want to deepen your faith and your commitAix, gave up their faith. Desperately, he wanted these ment to Jesus Christ, then maybe people to know that Jesus Christ God is asking you to consider died out of love for them, that life as an Oblate. Eugene needed men with zeal they were important human beings despite what society in his day in France. The thought of them, and that no Oblates need men with zeal in Please matter how poor they were they our day in Australia. visit our website: were still loved by God. The young Eugene knew he www.oblates.com.au/vocations, couldn’t do this task all by him- for more information or contact self, so he approached other men Fr John Sherman OMI at jsherto join him and help him tell man@oblates.com.au
Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 15
Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
(Mark10:17)
Youth leaders showcase cool Social justice camp IN the tradition of last year’s “Joyful Noise” Cool 2b Catholic, a camp for teenagers during the July school holidays, was a two-night retreat experience that invited young people to celebrate their Catholic faith and build identity and pride in being Catholic. Attended by about 30 young people C2bC was an opportunity to learn a little more about what it means to be Catholic and to move to a deeper level of faith. This retreat celebrated the joys and explored some of the challenges of living as a Catholic Christian. And of course, no youth camp is complete without a good dollop of fun and games and the fantastic youth leaders; CaraJayne Annells, Simone Annells, Max Boland, Danelle Dias, David Fiddelaers, Hannah Silberstein, Courtney Stuart, Declan Taylor, and Jessica Van Dieman, delivered just that. The youth leaders were generous with their gifts and their stories. They led the group in prayer including a memorable “Living Rosary”, they impressed with their serious musical talent, and they kept us all entertained with their games and activities.
By Kelly Lucas
PARTICIPANTS in Cool 2b Catholic showing off decorated T-shirts. One of the most inspiring Big thanks to our volunteer aspects of the camp was listen- youth leaders, our guest speakers ing to the youth leaders share Vin Bibby and Jacs Healey, Fr with participants just why they Bernard Mahony for celebrating thought it was cool to be our closing Mass, and the wonCatholic. It was a joyful conver- derful parishioners of St sation to be part of! Joseph’s Iona for hosting us once C2bC was enjoyed by partici- again! pants and leaders alike and all More photos from C2bC can are looking forward to next be viewed on the Sale Youth year’s diocesan youth camp Ministry Office group on where we hope you will join us. Facebook.
WYD boot camp kicks off JUST like competing in a marathon pilgrims need to do a little training to make sure their at peak readiness for pilgrimage. With a year to go until the world’s largest youth event begins in Spain, World Youth Day Madrid pilgrims gathered in Pakenham recently to begin Pilgrim Boot Camp. Pilgrim Boot Camp is an opportunity for those headed to Madrid, and those supporting us here at home, to participate in formation, reflection and youth events – to flex their pilgrim muscles so to speak.
During this first Pilgrim Boot Camp session Fr Denis O’Bryan, Bairnsdale parish priest, shared his experiences as a pilgrim on the Camino Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. Fr Denis’ adventures were both inspiring and humorous. As well as offering plenty of practical tips (Habla plátano? does not mean “Do you have any bananas?”!!) Fr Denis challenged WYD participants to be more than mere tourists. To be a pilgrim, Fr Denis quoted Sr Rita Minehan csb, those travelling to WYD needed
to invite change, conversion, new perspectives and a deeper way of living. He encouraged all there to use this year leading up to WYD2011 to pray and prepare. Online registrations for WYD 2011 are now open. To book your seat for this once-in-a-lifetime experience go to www.wydtours.com, click on “WYD pilgrimages” and follow the links to the Diocese of Sale page. Or contact Jess in the Youth Ministry Office for more information.
Diocese benefits from convention MELBOURNE is set to host the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention on October 1-3, which is a great opportunity for the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Sale. The ACYMC aims at bringing together all those who minister with young people in the Catholic Church in Australia. It seeks to: • develop and nurture a national understanding and identity of Catholic youth ministry; • provide high quality formation and training for those engaged in youth ministry across Australia; • provide an opportunity for youth ministers to network within and beyond their immediate fields of ministry; • provide a space for youth ministers to seek spiritual reflection and nourishment The program for the convention has been developed to incorporate a variety of youth ministry needs from around the country and features local, national and international guest speakers. Of particular significance is the inclusion of the convention theme: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal
FIFTY Year 10 students from around the diocese gathered this month for the annual Social Justice Camp held at Rawson. The students spent two days together learning about their call to action and how they can make a difference in the world. Facilitator, Mary-Anne Collins from Caritas Australia, educated the students on what poverty really means, the millennium development goals and issues facing our brothers and sisters around the globe and here in Australia. Small group presenter, Sr Doreen, also helped the students to understand social justice by highlighting the life of Blessed Mary MacKillop and her work in this area. Mary MacKillop is a great example to everyone when dealing with justice issues as she used the filter of Jesus and what he would do in all situations. Mary-Anne then took the students a step further and chal-
lenged the student’s ideas on these issues, asking them to form an opinion of their own. The students had to think about how they can make a real difference and change for the better. To conclude the camp, in school groups, students were asked to look at one or two of their fundraising activities. How they can also make this an awareness campaign or act of solidarity and then how they can create change. In this election time, on both a state and national level, many students realised writing to politicians, expressing what they think was a great way for our government to also make a difference in the world and create positive change for others. Students returned to the colleges pumped and excited about all the opportunities they have to make a difference. Mary-Anne helped to inspire and empower our students and with the support of their colleges we look forward to heading what they achieve.
Mary MacKillop part of the ‘rabble’ EVERY Sunday afternoon in September the Youth Ministry Office invites you to attend Re 4 the Rabble: a glimpse into the life of Mary MacKillop. RE 4 the Rabble is a series of catechesis sessions for ordinary, every-day young people and with the canonisation of Blessed Mary of the Cross MacKillop fast approaching it is an opportune time to focus on the life and spirituality of Australia’s first saint. Each session will be facilitated by a Sisters of St Joseph and you can choose to participate in all of the sessions, or pick and choose which sessions suit you. The sessions will be: • “An introduction to Mary MacKillop” facilitated by Sr Lynette Young rsj and Sr Margaret Brown rsj, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Sunday September 5, St
Joseph’s Catholic Church, O’Connell Rd, Foster • “Mary MacKillop: A very human and ordinary woman” facilitated by Sr Rita Malavisi rsj, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Sunday September 12, Don Bosco Primary School Hall, 496 Princes Hwy, Narre Warren • “Mary MacKillop: A woman of strong faith” facilitated Sr Christina Scannell rsj, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Sunday September 19, St Mary’s Primary School MultiPurpose Room, 50-54 Monash Rd, Newborough • “Mary MacKillop: Love in action” facilitated by Sr Doreen Dagge rsj, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Sunday September 26, Chapter House, Foster St, Sale There is no cost to attend RE 4 the Rabble and everyone is welcome.
Leaders’ brain food
THE Youth Ministry class at Mary MacKillop College, Leongatha, are looking forward to the ACYMC conference. life?” (Mk 10:17). The convention will also feature a Youth Ministry Expo, a Living Library and CulturED Cafe. Having the ACYMC in our state is an excellent opportunity for all those who are engaged in ministry with young people, in
the multitude of contexts, approaches and strategies from our diocese, to come together, with their peers from around Australia, and be formed and nurtured in their ministry. Registrations are filling fast so go to www.acymc.org to book your seat at this national event.
YOU probably wouldn’t be involved with youth ministry if you didn’t also enjoy hanging out with teenagers and building relationships. Way to go! It’s easy, however, to focus on the students with whom you share a similar sense of humor or a common interest. God made people different, and tapping into those niche areas is great for ministry. It’s okay that you don’t know every student in your ministry if there are other adults investing in their lives. Focus on building deep and lasting relationships with the students whom God has given you in your small group, on a retreat, or wherever you may be. Nonetheless, sometimes it takes a little more effort. If you’re stuck in a place where you can’t connect with anyone or are
the only person on your ministry team, that’s okay! Three cheers for your commitment! Keep asking students their names. Keep asking them questions and getting to know them. Show up at a game, play, concert, or where a student works. It’ll show that you truly do desire to get to know their world, not only as someone who asks about it but also as a participant. You’ll begin to develop life-changing and lasting friendships. Make sure to also target those students who might be on the fringe, those who don’t seem connected to the ministry or other adults. They probably act as if they don’t care, but a friendship initiated by you is probably what they’re screaming for in their heart.
Page 16 - Catholic Life, August 2010
Gippslanders writing on the two World Wars WHEN the First World War broke, the poet of the mountains, Billy Wye, was 48, but he enlisted by lowering his age, and served for the duration of the war. He published a book of poems, Souvenirs of the Sunny South, dedicated to Australia’s soldier sons, in 1915. Because of his love of horses, he joined the 1st Remount Unit of the AIF in 1915. As it happened, Banjo Paterson was a major in the same unit. Billy Wye served in Egypt and Greece as a trooper training horses. In late 1915 he wrote and published in Cairo a poem popular with the soldiers, ‘The Trooper’s Farewell’. The dying trooper fondly remembers his days in the Gippsland bush: Soon may I return to the land I love best, To the green Gippsland hills with the brumbies to rest; Where perchance in the spring time when wattle blooms wave, I shall hear their hoofs ring again in my grave. Wye’s unit was disbanded in October 1916 and was sent back to Australia. By this stage Billy had been enlisted for over a year. He then worked as a military guard at the Caulfield military hospital. Wye published over a
Gippsland History with Patrick Morgan dozen poems relating to the two world wars, all in ballad form expressing conventional sentiments, as in the poem ‘The Immortal Anzacs’. Do they still hear the scream of shells, Re-echo from “the Dardenells”? Do they relive before “The Shrine”? The tragedy of “Lonesome Pine”? Wye’s second volume of poetry, Bush Minstrels, published in 1941 during the Second World War, was dedicated to ‘Australia’s soldiers sons’. Noting that his first book was published during the First World War, he wrote: “Now, more than a quarter of a century later, it is his unique privilege to dedicate the present verses to the gallant sons of their valiant ancestors, supremely confident that they will not only emulate but enhance the priceless prestige of the immortal
Anzacs”. The novelist and journalist Sydney Loch, born in Scotland and the nephew of the early Victorian Governor Sir Henry Loch, came to Victoria and worked as a jackeroo, including time spent on a sheep property in Gippsland. He enrolled with the AIF, tended horses like Billy Wye, landed with the Anzacs on the first day at Gallipoli, and after experiencing some of the worst of the fighting, was evacuated after four months because of debilitating illness. After a period of recovery, he was sent back to Australia and eventually discharged from the army. This experience formed the basis of one of the most realistic and impressive accounts of the Gallipoli campaign, the novel The Straits Impregnable (1916), written under the pseudonym Sydney de Loghe. The book has a neutral docu-
Benedict and sexual abuse POPE BENEDICT XVI AND THE SEXUAL ABUSE CRISIS, by Gregory Erlandson and Matthew Bunson, published by Our Sunday Visitor, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 207 pages, rrp $19.95. IF it is one issue which continues to have a dramatic effect on the Catholic Church’s standing in the world, it is the sexual abuse crisis which has dragged down not only those who committed the abuse but those who chose to do nothing about it. It is an issue which has led to much disenchantment with Church leaders. This book looks mainly at the scandals which erupted in the United States and more recently in Ireland. It looks at the heavy criticism the current Pope has wrongly faced from some commentators who claim the problem is getting worse and that as Cardinal Jospeh Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, he was behind the cover-ups. This book has been written to focus on the genuine role the Pope has had and continues to have in confronting the sexual abuse issue. It points to the Pope’s desire to end clergy abuses and for the Church to seek spiritual renewal so it can be purified. The book looks at the situation in various countries including Australia and explains what the Pope has being doing in his attempt to rid the Church of the “filth” of abuse. Perhaps the strongest affirmation of his stand is left to the statements and commentaries section at the end of the book which quotes from his various letters and homilies on the issue. Two of these were made in Australia during his 2008 visit for World Youth Day and two are only several months old, hav-
Talking about Books ing been addressed to the bishops and Catholics of Ireland during March 2010. CATHOLIC ANSWERS TO CATHOLIC QUESTIONS by Paul Thigpen, Fr Ray Ryland and Fr Francis Hoffman, published by Our Sunday Visitor, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 246 pages, rrp $26.95. FEW people could claim that they have a complete grasp on what exactly it is that we Catholics believe. This book is written in a simple question and answer format and is divided into eight chapters. These chapters cover questions about scripture; Church teachings; sacraments and liturgy; Our Lady, saints, angels and demons; Catholic practices; Catholic history; moral issues and apologetics. While some of the questions and answers are predictable, others are on subjects that might never cross your mind - just the sort of questions an enquiring child might ask when your guard is down. The responses come to genuine questions put to theology professor Paul Thigpen and published in a bi-monthly American magazine The Catholic Answer. Some also appear as part of the Our Sunday Visitor’s web site question of the day section. We are not going to give you the answers but here are some questions you may like to ponder - one from each chapter. Did Jesus ever laugh?
Do ghosts fit into Catholic belief ? What is the status of the soul of a child who is stillborn? Does burying a statue of St Joseph help sell a house? How does one properly dispose of an old Bible? What are gargoyles and why are they found on many churches? If human beings were cloned, would the clone have a soul? Why does the Catholic Bible have seven more books than other Bibles? If finding out the answers to these questions interests you, then this is would be a great book for you with another 300 or so tricky questions revealed. BIBLE STORIES FOR LITTLE ANGELS, by Sarah Dodd and Dubravka Kolanovic, published by Lion Children’s Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, hardback, 42 pages, rrp $19.99. OFTEN Christian books for children fall into the category of being for those who are accomplished readers or, on the other hand, picture books for the nonreaders. What we like about this book is that the words are simple and should be able to be read by most with a couple of years schooling under their belt and it also has some colorful illustrations to keep the younger ones interested as they hear the Bible stories being read to them. The book covers 10 of the best-loved stories from the Bible, told in simple language and through the eyes of children.
mentary style; it reads as a straight-forward, first-hand account with the names of real life personalities slightly altered (Gunner Loch becomes the narrator Gunner Lake), providing a largely autobiographical account. Loch was a phlegmatic, wellorganised person, with a rational mind, keen powers of observation and intellectually curious. His novel is written in the style of Erich Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia, an unheroic, deadpan account of the true horrors of war – the smell of rotting corpses, poor food, bitter cold, the inability to sleep, the constant, anxiety-producing noise of rifle fire and bursting shells, the terrible randomness of death, and the desultory nature of the actual fighting. In other words, obstacles to survival com as much from one’s own side as the enemy. The novel starts with a peaceful scene on a Gippsland sheep farm on the flats of the Latrobe River. Rumors of war are confirmed so Lake leaves the farm to enlist. As a lover of horses, he becomes a trooper, and is selected as the galloper conveying messages for the colonel. Camp life, training, pointless army discipline, the trip to Egypt, boredom and tedium, are laconically conveyed. At their camp near the Pyramids, Lake’s group tend their horses. The terrain is sandy, barren and uninviting, but the trips to crowded Cairo provide exotic relief. After many weeks, they embark on a train to Alexandria, and then on transport ships to the Dardenelles. After landing at Gallipoli they experience continual shell and musket fire amidst barren scrub and depressing conditions, with confusion on the beach over the first few days. Early hopes that the British and Anzac troops would triumph, and move on to conquer Constantinople in a few weeks, soon fade. The horses are never landed. Solders bathe at evening as Turkish gunfire randomly rakes the beach. In the front line trenches Lake experiences both danger and boredom, a lethal combination. A half day truce between the sides for gathering up and burying the dead provides a welcome break in the military stalemate. The novel, vivid and impressively detached account, ends as Gunner Lake, like Loch, is evacuated to a hospital ship. Loch wrote the book after discharge and published it in 1916 to immediate acclaim. But to the second edition were added, opposite the front page, the
Billy Wye words: ‘This book, written in Australia, Egypt and Gallipoli, is all true’. This was a mistake, as it gave the military censor the legal ability to claim it was a factual account and then to have it suppressed. The army disliked Loch’s account as it revealed chaos and confusion, shortages of ammunition, confused strategic objectives, bodies lying around unburied, lack of military success (as indicated by the title), and an absence of patriotic fervour. Loch also published a pamphlet One Crowded Hour: A Call to Arms (1918). This recruiting pamphlet of nine short newspaper articles urges those still undecided to enlist, to do so as England becomes exhausted after four years of war. Loch recalls the glories of the British naval and military past. War service is an adventure not to be missed, an occasion of regret in years to come if you do not enlist: ‘You are made, you men who will not go. There is no man in those armies who is not living at the top of his life. He is exploring new worlds. He is plucking every string of experience. Daily he sits down to dine with glory. Any hour she may kiss him on the lips’. These patriotic sentiments extolling the glory of war sit strangely with Loch’s novel, which gives the lie to them by showing his comrades at Gallipoli were far from living at the top of their lives. Sydney Loch married another Gippsland writer, Joice Nankivell in Melbourne in 1916. They spent the rest of their lives in Europe, selflessly helping victims of war in Ireland, Poland, Greece and the Middle East, and writing numerous books about their experiences. This is an extract from Patrick Morgan’s book on Gippsland literature, Foothill Farmers, to be published later in the year.
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Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 17
For the Young and Young at Heart Time for a Laugh AN elderly man who lived alone wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: “Dear Vincent, “I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over..? I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. “Love, Papa.” A few days later he received a letter from his son. “Dear Pop, “Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried. “Love, Vinnie.” At 4 am the next morning, the police arrived and dug up the entire area, but without finding any bodies. They apologised to the old man and left. The next day the old man received another letter from his son. “Dear Pop, “Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. “Love you, Vinnie.” WHO says today's kids aren't smart? Well, some of them are! At a high school in the United States a group of students played a prank on the school. They let three goats loose in the school but before they let them go they painted numbers on the sides of the goats: 1, 2 and 4. Local school administrators spent most of the day looking for number 3. JACOB, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, 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: “We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?” Pharmacist: “Of course we do.” Jacob: “Medicine for rheumatism, scoliosis?” Pharmacist: “Definitely.” Jacob: “How about medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?” Pharmacist: “Yes, a large variety..... the works!” Jacob: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills and fluid tablets?” 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.”
Here’s a happy student DISPLAYING the Jumbo Bible Activity Book he won in the June colouring contest is Ryan Dyke, 7, who attends St Joseph’s Primary School in Trafalgar. For a chance to win a book prize, make sure you enter the monthly colouring contest. Just remember to post entries so they are received by us no later than September 8 and your entry will be able to be considered for the prize. Go to it!
Our August colouring contest
A SAW mill advertises for a timber worker. A skinny little bloke shows up at the camp the next day carrying an axe. The head timber worker takes one look at the puny bloke and tells him to get lost. “"Give me a chance to show you what I can do,” says the little guy. “Okay, see that giant regum over there?” says the foreman. “Take your axe and cut it down.” The little bloke heads for the tree and in five minutes he's knocking on the foreman's door. “I cut the tree down,” says the bloke. The foreman can't believe his eyes and says,”Where did you learn to chop down trees like that?” “In the Nullarbor Forest,”says the little fella. “You mean the Nullarbor Plain,” says the foreman. “Sure! That's what they call it now!”
Awesome Bible Facts THIS is pretty cool, actually... Pay close attention to the numbers. Coincidence? Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 117 Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 119 Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? A: Psalms 118 Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118 Add these numbers up and you get 1188. Q: What is the centre verse
in the Bible? A: Psalms 118:8 Q: Does this verse say something significant about God’s perfect will for our lives? A: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” - Psalms 118:8. Now isn’t that odd how this worked out (or was God in the centre of it)? The next time someone says they would like to find God’s perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the centre of His will, just send them to the centre of His Word!
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send entries to: Colouring Contest, c/- Catholic Life, PO Box 183, Sale. 3853
And this month’s winner is...
✰✰ Sophy Notman ✰✰ SOPHY is five years old and goes to St Ita’s Primary School in Drouin. She put in a big effort with her colouring of the snow picture, even adding some glitter highlights on the snow. A great effort. Your prize will be delivered soon.
Page 18 - Catholic Life, August 2010
Quick calendar
world news ...
What’s on & when August 11 - South region meeting, St Laurence’s parish centre, Leongatha, 11.15am 11 – Catholic Development Fund board meeting, Sale 15 – Mass to celebrate 30th anniversary of Narre Warren parish, 11am 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 17 – Central region meeting, St John’s parish centre, Trafalgar, 7.30pm 17 – Spirituality day on Mary MacKillop, Teachers’ Centre, Catholic Education Office, Warragul, 10am to 3.30pm. 18 – Council of Priests and Consultors meetings, Sale, noon 18 - Diocesan Finance councilmeeting, Sale 19 – Valley region meeting, Moe, noon 20 – Memorial of St Bernard 21 – Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, Traralgon, 9.30am 21 – Federal Election 22 – Yarram confirmations, 11am 22 – Foster confirmations, 2pm 25 - West region meeting, St Agatha’s parish centre, Cranbourne, 10.30am 28 – Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo 29 – Migrant Sunday diocesan Mass and celebrations, St Patrick’s Church, Pakenham, 2pm 31 – Closing date for funding requests to Bishops’ Family Foundation
September 1-3 – Australasian Catholic Press Association conference, Hobart 3-5 – Australasian Religious Press Association conference, Hobart 3 – Memorial of St Gregory the Great 5 – Father’s Day 5 – Annual appeal for Priests’ Welfare Foundation 6 - Deadline of September Catholic Life 6-10 –International Priests’ Retreat for Asia-Oceania, Singapore. Bishop Prowse a keynote speaker 12 – Korumburra healing Mass (to be confirmed) 14 – Official opening of new buildings at St John’s Primary, Koo Wee Rup, 1.30pm 15 - Catholic Life published 15 – Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows 16 – National E-Conference – ‘Jesus the Christ’ 18 – School holidays begin 21-24 – Sale Diocese clergy inservice, Corpus Christi, Carlton 21 – Feast of St Matthew, apostle 23 – Memorial of St Pio of Pietrelcino 26 – Launch of Social Justice Sunday Statement 27 – Memorial of St Vincent de Paul
October 1 – Memorial of St Therese of Lisieux 3 – Daylight saving begins
(clocks forward) 3 – Diocesan Missions Mass, St John’s Church, Trafalgar, 10.30am 4 - Deadline of October Catholic Life 4 – Term 4 begins 4 – Memorial of St Francis of Assisi 5 – Talk on One Body, One Spirit in Christ by Fr Peter Williams, CEO, Warragul, 5pm 6-7 – Clergy Liturgy conference, Cowes 7 – Serra Mass for vocations, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 5.30pm 7 - Talk on One Body, One Spirit in Christ by Fr Peter Williams, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 6pm 7 – Our Lady of the Rosary 10 – Mass of St Francis and procession, Sacred Heart Church, Morwell, 2.30pm 12-24 – Bishop Prowse overseas attending canonisation of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Rome 13 - Catholic Life published 13 – CDF Board meeting, Sale 15 – Memorial of St Teresa 17 – Canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Rome 18 – Feast of St Luke, evangelist 21 – Valley region meeting, Newborough, noon 27 – Meetings of Council of Priests and Consultors, Sale, noon 31 – Annual St Sofia festival at St John’s, Koo Wee Rup, Italian Mass at 9.30am, followed by procession
November 1 – All Saints Day 1 - Deadline of November Catholic Life 2 – Melbourne Cup (public holiday) 2 – All Souls Day 5-7 – Official visit of Bishop Prowse to Koo Wee Rup parish 9 – East region meeting, Orbost, 10.30am 9 – Launch of new Peter Synan book, Three Springtimes: Chronicles of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 4pm (tentative). 10 - Catholic Life published 10 - South region meeting, St Laurence’s parish centre, Leongatha, 11.15am 12 – Diocesan celebration of canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 11am 13 – Memorial of St Francis Xavier 13-14 – Celebration of 120th anniversary of Our Lady of Sion Convent, Sale 13 – Noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Prowse at Sion Sisters’ graves 14 – Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine at St Mary’s Cathedral, 2.30pm. 16 – Central region meeting, St Joseph’s parish meeting room, Warragul, 7.30pm 17 - Official opening new facilities at Nagle College, Bairnsdale 19-21 – Bishop Prowse’s official visit to Moe parish
Dress code policed at Vatican VATICAN City’s Swiss Guards have started a crack-down on tourist dress standards. Short skirts, shorts, sleeveless dresses, singlet tops and inappropriate footwear such as thongs are being targeted. Such inappropriate dress has always been banned from St Peter’s Basilica but the ban now seems to have been extended to the whole of the Vatican City – the Catholic Church’s 44 hectare enclave within the city of Rome.
Australian tourists heading to the Vatican for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop in October have been asked to heed the warning or they may be refused entry to the event they have paid to attend. The latest crack-down on inappropriate clothing which began two weeks ago is reported to have forced many women to hastily purchase long scarves to cover their bare shoulders or wrap over short skirts.
Bishop calls for justice and peace PAKISTAN - A bishop determined to bring peace after the latest violence against Christians in Pakistan has led calls for justice in the case of two brothers gunned down outside a crowded law court while being guarded by police. Allegations that the two Christians – Rashid Emmanuel, 32, and his 30-year-old brother Sajid – were guilty of a gross insult to the Prophet Mohammed were dismissed by Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad who linked the claims to extremists bent on fomenting violence and antiChristian hatred. The two men were shot dead last month at a law court in Faisalabad sparking a wave of violence and tension across the Punjabi city and beyond. Police used tear gas to disperse angry crowds in the brothers’ home of Waris Pura, Faisalabad, where Christians fled for their lives as both Protestant and Catholic churches came under attack from youths throwing stones. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians, Bishop Coutts underlined that justice must be brought for the grieving families of the two brothers who died in “clear defiance of the law”. The two men were shot dead as three police officers led them across the crowded precincts of a court house, where they were
Bishop Joseph Coutts under investigation for having insulted Islam – a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment according to the country’s controversial Blasphemy Laws. Speaking from Faisalabad, Bishop Coutts told ACN: “We are demanding justice – the arrest of the killer. The men were killed in public with a lot of people present as witnesses as well as three police officers in attendance.” He added: “It should not be difficult to apprehend the person who killed them. We have got to keep putting pressure in the search for justice. The authorities would be quite happy to close the whole thing and let the matter drop.”
Second volume on the way THE Vatican Publishing House has awarded publishing rights of the English version of Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth, Vol. 2 to Ignatius Press. The second volume of the bestseller is expected early next year. This installment focuses on the Passion and Resurrection and continues from where volume one left off. This volume is expected to cover questions such as if Jesus established the Church and if he really rose from the dead. "Jesus remains controversial," noted Ignatius Press president Mark Brumley. "Christians believe he is the Son of God, the founder of the Church, and the Savior of the world. For nonChristians, Jesus is almost any-
thing else -- a myth, a revolutionary, or a prophet whose teaching was misunderstood or distorted by his followers." The first volume focuses on Jesus' public ministry.
Fortunately for them there is a range of stalls nearby which sell scarves. Men in shorts were forced to travel further to menswear stores to purchase long trousers. The move by the Swiss Guards has been widely criticised with some religious commentators suggesting the Church should be concentrating its efforts more on major issues rather than things of minor importance such as public dress codes.
Church is young and joyful, says the Pope ITALY - After viewing a documentary on the first five years of his pontificate, Benedict XVI noted that although the Church experiences periods of crisis and suffering, it remains joyful and young. After watching Fünf Jahre Papst Benedikt (Five Years: Pope Benedict XVI), a film produced by a public broadcaster in Bavaria, Germany, the Pope thanked the filmmakers “for this extraordinary spiritual journey, which has enabled us to relive and see again determinant and culminating moments of these five years of my Petrine service and of the life of the Church herself.” “It was for me personally very moving to see some moments, above all the one in which the Lord placed on my shoulders the Petrine service,” he continued. “A weight that no one could carry by himself with his limited strength, but which can be carried because the Lord carries it and carries me. “It seems to me that in this film we saw the richness of the life of the Church, the multiplicity of cultures, of charisms, of different gifts that live in the Church and how in this multiplicity and great diversity the same one Church lives. Benedict XVI reflected that the Church, although it suffers, is “a joyful Church.” “It is not an aged Church, but we have seen that the Church is young and that faith creates joy,” he added. The Pope also noted that the film ended with a “visit to the Mother of God,” and he reflected that it is Mary “who teaches us humility, obedience and the joy that God is with us.”
Pope praying for homeless VATICAN CITY - Benedict XVI will be praying in August for the homeless and jobless, as well as those who are experience another type of serious need. The Apostleship of Prayer announced the intentions chosen by the Pope for August. His general prayer intention is: "That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as
well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties." The Holy Father also chooses an apostolic intention for each month. In August he will pray: "That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries."
Catholic Life, August 2010 - Page 19
Trinity appeal aids St V. de Paul
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Bishop’s Family Foundation If you are making or updating your will, you may consider leaving a bequest to the Bishop’s Family Foundation. The Bishop’s Family Foundation has produced some easy-to-read booklets explaining bequests which may be an advantage to read before seeing your solicitor to prepare or update your will. Copies may be obtained by phoning Pat on 5144 4991 Do it today and sleep easy knowing you have done your part.
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DURING the month of June, Trinity Catholic Primary School in Narre Warren South, supported the St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal with the focus theme of “No One Should Have To Know This”. In the atrium of the school, the student from the school’s student representative council set up a display to encourage and invite families to be involved in the appeal. There was a pantry in which families could place food items, a closet for donated clothes and a washing line with socks hanging for children to donate money. Different grades organised interesting ways to raise money, from cake stalls to raffles.
SFX wins netball tournament
Are you considering a vocation as a priest or deacon for the Diocese of Sale? If so please contact Diocesan Vocations Director Deacon Tony Aspinall 0414 468 692 vocations@sale.catholic.org.au
to help you discern God’s call
MEMBERS of the Senior girls Netball team (from left) Grace Keysers, Georgia Keysers, and Kayla Wilson with their coach Paul Atkins..
Catholic Life
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Overall, the appeal was a fantastic success with the pantry overflowing, the closet full and money socks bulging. The total amount raised was in excess of $1200. A heart felt thank you to all families for their tremendous generosity and for instilling in their children the importance of Jesus’ message: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matt 25:35-36)
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BEACONSFIELD - St Francis Xavier College Beaconsfield senior boys and girls netball teams competed in the Waverley International Netball Tournament during the mid year holiday break against secondary schools from all over Australia as well as teams from New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Both the senior girls and senior boys team competed with great heart and determination. After a gruelling four day tournament the senior girls team eventually finished third, their best ever performance at the tournament and the senior boys team finished firsst and took home the championship for the fourth time. St Francis Xavier College has been entering the Waverley International Netball Tournament for the past eight years and the school is now widely recognised for its boys and girls netball program. Three members of last year’s boys team were selected to represent Victoria at the national championships in April of this year with two of these students gaining All Australian Team selection. The teams are coached by college house so-ordinator and physical education teacher Paul Atkins assisted by members of the PE staff Emily Noonan and Ben Gaze.
Young Joshua competes at state level $10.00 $11.20 $12.60 $13.80 $15.00
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JOSHUA Daniell, a Grade Four student at St Michael’s Primary School in Berwick, placed first in Under 9/10 years boys’ category at Berwick District Cross Country held at Endeavour Hills in May of this year. Joshua then went on to represent Berwick District at state level, South Eastern Zone, Cross Country at Bundoora on the July 13. After a few nervous moments on the day, Joshua placed 49th out of 133 competitors. His determination and perseverance at both cross country events is to be congratulated on obtaining such excellent results.
Page 20 - Catholic Life, August 2010
The Mitchell from the mountains to the lakes
YEAR 9 student Adrian Rettino clearing rubbish beside the Mitchell River near Dargo.
CATHOLIC College Sale Year 9 students recently embarked on an East Gippsland adventure. Each year, the college takes 180 Year 9 students to a remote camp site near Dargo, where groups students spend a week at a time, focusing on conservation, sustainability and minimising their impact on the environment. The college has used this site for the past three years during which time the students have made a pathway to the river, cleared the riverbank of noxious weeds and begun to revegetate the area by planting more than 100 native trees. Students are very enthusiastic about the conservation activities – they are keen to make a difference. Clint Bain is the bushcare facilitator for the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and has visited the students a number of times at the camp site. “I think this program is tremendous” he said. “The Catholic College Sale program is unique due to the remote location of the site and the fact that it is run as part of the Year 9 search program. “It is a great opportunity to promote awareness of river health and educate students in the importance of maintaining, restoring and protecting our waterways.” This year, the students visited the head of the Mitchell River, where the Dargo and
Wonnangatta Rivers merge. Mr Bain spoke about identifying the issues in managing what is a very special river in Victoria. The exposure and research into this significant river concluded with a journey between Bairnsdale and Paynesville through the internationally renowned Mitchell River silt jetties. The students travelled on a catamaran called the Enterprise and viewed the mouth of the Mitchell as it flowed into Lake King. An important part of the protection of the Mitchell River National Park is the preservation and significance of the Aboriginal Heritage held within. The students took a visit to Krowathunkoolong – The Keeping Place, in Bairnsdale. Grattan Mullet, a local
Gunai/Kurnai man hosted the students at this Aboriginal Museum and shared with them the story of the indigenous people of this area. The students had an opportunity to spend time in the museum and seek information regarding the impact of European Settlement in Gippsland. Year 9 student, Molly Coleman said “The field trip was, overall, a very rewarding experience. It had a little bit of everything – history, geography and lots of fun! “I learnt a lot about the Mitchell River as we journeyed along it in the Enterprise. It was fascinating learning about the Aboriginal Culture of the area and it was great to have a source of local knowledge on the boat” she said.
SFX Gold caraval has Sydney trip
BEC Hofferts gives a few pointers to a young pool player at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Sydney. By Len Cooke
Aid to the Church in Need …. a Catholic charity dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed Churches
DURING the second week of the holiday’s St Francis Xavier College students from the Remar Gold caravel journeyed back to St Marys in western Sydney to do a week of voluntary work at the Don Bosco Youth centre. For many who come to the centre it is the safest environment they know. It is the only place where they will encounter adults who actually care for them. This care can just be in the form of ensuring the club’s rules are kept to just having a game of pool. While it may sound trivial our job was to be with the local kids. To play with them, listen to their stories as well as telling them ours. One of our jobs was to play with the kids who came to the centre and especially to make sure we lost all our games of pool, soccer and tramp ball. This simple act of involvement and “losing” gave many of the kids there a great sense of satisfaction and self worth; something that is missing in their environment. At the end of the day it was upstairs to hit the books as study time was an essential part of our daily routine. Our living conditions were sparse as we just slept on the floor in the rooms above the cen-
tre. We were responsible for the preparation of all our meals, We started and finished everyday with prayer and reflection which each of us had to lead. However you cannot have a Remar activity without having a lot of fun. The guys invented the new sport of skateboard trampolining as well as making sure all the pool tables, soccer machines and other equipment was working, especially at about 10 in the evening. We took a day off and explored the sites of Sydney, starting at St Marys Cathedral with the Mary MacKillop shrine and then to Luna Park, The Bridge, Maritime Museum and of course plenty of retail therapy, ending the day having tea at Darling Harbour. Early into the term Remar conducted its first ever theatre restaurant, Remaronte De Jour, in the hospitality centre of St Francis Xavier College. Conducted over two nights guests were treated to a night of great comedy, fine music and exquisite food. In fact the stars of the night were the hospitality students who worked tirelessly to prepare and serve and excellent two course meal. Special thanks to Hospitality teachers Diana Waugh and Vicki Wynen who supervised the students.