Catholic Life - December 2010 by Catholic Diocese of Sale

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Catholic Life

Publication of the Diocese Diocese of of Sale Sale

ISSUE 146100 ISSUE

December 2010 November

Catholic Life wishes all its readers and contributors a very happy and holy Christmas and new year. We pray that everyone is kept safe while travelling on the roads during the busy holiday period and we will be back with you in February. First lay principal appointed - Page 3

What’s News

Cathedral book is launched - Page 5

Celebrating 120 years of Sion - Pages 12

Ordination of Fr Dariusz THE ordination to the priesthood of Fr Dariusz Jablonski was a moving moment for the Church in Sale Diocese. The Polish-born priest is the first to be ordained in the diocese since 2006. Priests and parishioners from across the diocese gathered in St Mary’s Cathedral on November 27 to bear witness to his ordination by Bishop Christopher Prowse. Fr Jablonski’s mother Theresa travelled from Poland to attend the ceremony. In his homily Bishop Prowse pointed out that the Lord had called Dariusz to religious life As a boy he had thought of becoming a dentist but by the time he was 14, he felt deep religious faith grow within. “You wanted to go to Church alone and be there for some time in solitariness before and after Mass. It attracted you. It was deep. It was silent. “It was Jesus calling you to something greater. Jesus was calling you in Poland to this moment of your ordination here at Sale – on the other side of the world!” Bishop Prowse said Dariusz had wrestled with the call to the priesthood for quite some time and from today would share in the Fatherhood of God in service of God’s people, especially in the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a priest. He said that last month, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a beautiful letter to seminarians in the world in which he said the priest was not the leader of a sort of association whose membership he tried to maintain and expand.

“He is God’s messenger to his people. He wants to lead them to God and in this way to foster authentic communion between all men and women.” Bishop Prowse said “That’s precisely it, dear Dariusz. You are not called to maintain an ecclesial organization like some corporate manager. A priest is to be Christ to people. He is to be ‘another Christ.’ “He is to be a spiritual father to them. That is why we are called ‘Father’ by our people. The priest lives in radical detachment of all else except Christ. The priest’s detachment to the things of this world leads him to become totally attached to Christ, priest and victim.” He called Dariusz to promise today to be a victim for Christ, a victim with and in Christ for the life of the world. “Surrender all to the majesty of Christ. You have so many talents and capacities to serve others. But may it always be as Christ who serves in you.” The preface of the Mass proclaimed: God calls priests “to lead his holy people in love, nourish them by the word and strengthen them through the sacraments.” Bishop Prowse thanked God that He had called Dariusz, to us all the way from Poland. “You were attracted to a rural diocese in a country in need of priests. Through the Holy Spirit you were led to us in the Diocese of Sale. “We rejoice in your generosity to lay your life down forever among us here in the service of the Gospel.” Fr Jablonski has been posted to Berwick as assistant priest. • More photos Page 8

BISHOP Christopher Prowse (left) annoints the hands of Fr Dariusz Jablonski (right) during his ordination in St Mary’s Cathedral. Watching on is Deacon Tony Aspinall.

Cathedral Restoration Appeal An appeal has been launched to raise up to $1 million to restore and enhance St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. Your support is needed to implement works to prevent the Mother Church of the Diocese of Sale from falling further into disrepair.

Send donations to Cathedral Appeal, Reply Paid 508, Sale 3853 * Credit card form can be downloaded at www.sale.catholic.org.au

Page 2 - Catholic Life, December 2010

To God’s people in the Catholic Diocese of Sale IT may be helpful for our spiritual lives in Christ to consider Christmas not just as one day in December, but a solemnity to be celebrated every day. The saintly priest and only English Doctor of the Church, St Bede the Venerable (673-735), suggests as much when he wrote: “Still today, and every day until the end of all ages, the Lord will be continually conceived in Nazareth and born in Christmas.” A heart, truly open to the initiative of the provident love of the Father, would surely understand this wisdom from St Bede. Every day such a heart would see Jesus’ conception and birth at Nazareth and Bethlehem arise from the daily events of our lives. Christmas would become a continuous feast and not simply a December 25th feast. We could experience a daily birth of the Lord Jesus in our lives. It would be a continuous Christmas for us. Maybe this is not such a distant dream as it seems. Perhaps the rest time of January can help us refocus ourselves and become like Mary, the mother of the Savior, ready to treasure and ponder (Lk. 2:51) all that Jesus is doing within us. This year I have seen the birth of Jesus in so many experiences. Here are some: Every time I celebrate the Mass and eat and drink the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, it seems that Christ is born in me again.

Let us strive for a ‘continuous Christmas’ When the Word of God is proclaimed during Mass with profound respect and careful diction with appropriate silence afterwards by the Lector, it makes me feel the presence of Jesus so strongly. So often in 2010 the priests and deacons of the Diocese of Sale have amazed me by their fraternity and prayerfulness. I felt this during the retreat I offered them this year and also in the in-services we shared. But also in the Mass for the Oils and in the ordination to the priesthood of Fr Dariusz Jablonski there was a special “Christmas” of awe and wonder at the gift of the priesthood. Many times, too, in the Confirmation Masses and visitations in our parishes and schools of this year, I felt the birth of Christ in meeting parishioners young and old clearly wanting to give their lives over to Jesus within the sacramental life of the Church. In the young people I met during and after the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop from our schools and youth communities, their testimonies of faith were powerful. They felt a new birth of Christ in their lives. It was Christmas in October for them!

Foster parish get together FOSTER - Parishioners finished the year off with a social at the Foster Exchange Hotel in November. Nearly 70 parishioners from St Joseph’s Foster, Immaculate Conception Fish Creek and St Agnes Toora, plus a few parishioners from Yarram got together to share a meal and a good yarn to mark the end of an eventful year. Ben and Eileen Worsteling who are newly appointed pas-

toral associates of St Joseph’s, and who moved in the area from Melbourne only four months ago also enjoyed hearing from the local parishioners interesting stories about their long time living in the area and raising their large families. They recalled the tough times in the past and how their children all helped out on the farm. The night was a huge success and will continue to retain its spot in the future.

Catholic Life PO Box 183, Sale Vic 3853 Phone: (03) 5144 6132 Fax: (03) 5144 3855 catholiclife@sale.catholic.org.au www.sale.catholic.org.au Published by Catholic Media Gippsland, Diocese of Sale, 8 Pearson St., Sale Printed by Latrobe Valley Express, Morwell. Editor: Colin Coomber Member of Australasian Catholic Press Association & Australasian Religious Press Association Published monthly except January. Deadline for advertising copy and contributions for the next issue is Monday, January 31 Issues distributed free through schools and parishes from February 9.

In the practical help offered to so many in need by the St Vincent de Paul Society and various Catholic associations, I could see the face of Christ at Christmas appear. In the elderly I have visited in so many nursing homes over the past year, I could feel that the Christmas Christ was present in the small but numerous visiting groups from our parishes offering prayers and Christian love to them. My hope is that in the new year of 2011 we might all see the face of Christ in our pondering together my ‘Finding Home in Jesus’ Pastoral Letter. We are attempting to become a better missionary diocese ready to be the Christmas of joy and hope to a rather depressed world so happy to talk of the hopelessness of euthanasia and banal materialism. These reflections on our missionary call to evangelise will be greatly advanced by pondering together the wonderful new teaching given by Pope Benedict XVI in his recent Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini. There is a whole section on “The Church’s Mission to Proclaim the Word of God to the World”. He draws attention to “the duty of Christians to announce the Word of

God in the world in which they live and work.” To all in the diocese, let us thank the Christmas Christ for the many blessings he has given us this year of 2010. Let us rest and regenerate our inner selves for the many Christmases that await us in 2011. Thank you so much for your strong Catholic faith and devotion. I thank you too for your prayer for me sometimes, especially at Mass. May you and your families be truly blessed this Christmas. May you all have a restful holiday period. May it be a time of true re-creation in Christ Jesus, Emmauel, God with us. + Bishop Christopher Prowse Bishop of Sale

Ex-CEO director a professor FORMER director of Catholic education in the Sale Diocese Dr Therese D’Orsa has been appointed Professor of Mission and Culture for the Broken Bay Institute and the University of Newcastle. The Broken Bay Institute, founded by Bishop David Walker, is a theologate which provides theological education at the Graduate and Post-graduate levels. Many people in the diocese

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Since she stepped down as director of Catholic education in the Sale Diocese three years ago Dr D’Orsa has been busily involved in setting up the Mission and Culture Faculty within BBI returning full-time to her area of academic specialisation – missiology. One of the major challenges she has faced has been mastering e-learning as a new mode for teaching. Her appointment as the first professor of both BBI and the University of Newcastle recognises the quality of her contribution to Australian academic life as well as the development of the Institute. This includes the development of programs especially tailored for educators in Catholic schools and leaders in Catholic school

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BISHOP of Sale, Christopher Prowse has announced the largest move of clergy within the diocese for many years. Eight priests and deacons will move parishes next month. Fr Andrew Wise, currently parish priest at Cranbourne, will move to St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, where he will be appointed Dean of the Cathedral. Current Cathedral parish administrator Fr Bernard Buckley will move to Lakes Entrance to take on the position of parish priest in Lakes Entrance and Orbost parishes. Fr Brendan Hogan will move from Lakes Entrance-Orbost to take on the demanding role of parish priest at Narre Warren,

one of the diocese’s largest parishes. Fr John Allen will move from Narre Warren to Cranbourne. Bairnsdale and Omeo parish priest Fr Denis O’Bryan and Traralgon parish priest Fr Peter Bickley will swap parishes. Fr Bickley is also currently administrator at Morwell but this role will be taken over by Fr Hugh Brown in conjunction with his duties as parish priest at Churchill. Permanent Deacon Terry Rooney will also move from Churchill to Morwell to assist in running the parish. The appointments will take effect at noon on January 19.

Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 3

First lay principal

2010 Christmas Message To My dear People at Christmas time There is a beautiful expression in the Second Christmas Preface of the Mass that really summarises our common belief at this time. “Christ is your Son before all ages yet now he is born in time” The Almighty and powerful God has become the vulnerable babe of Bethlehem in a hostile world. The love and grace initiative of God becoming one like us in all things but sin requires profound reflection and silence from us all. Like Mary we are to ponder this Mystery of our Faith called the Incarnation. To find deep inner silence to ponder on such a wonderful Mystery will be a challenge. It is the quest of Advent. Our January holidays will help us to slow down and reflect. It has been a big year, I am sure, for you in your families, parishes and communities. In the Diocese of Sale as a whole much has happened too. Let us join together in humble thanksgiving for “all the great things God has done in us”. May I sincerely thank you for the efforts you have made, both seen and unseen, in building up the Body of Christ amongst us. May you be truly blessed in this Christmas and New Year time. + Bishop Christopher Prowse Catholic Bishop of Sale

FIRST lay principal Chris Randell Paul Kane FMS SALE – The first lay principal of Catholic College Sale has been appointed to commence duties in January. He is Chris Randell who is currently principal at St Mary of the Angels College, Nathalia. His appointment was announced by Catholic College governors Bishop Christopher Prowse and Br Julian Casey FMS. Catholic College Sale was formed when Our Lady of Sion College (established 1890) and St Patrick’s College (established 1922) amalgamated to form a co-education secondary college. The principal at St Patrick’s and then Catholic College Sale has always been a Marist Brother before Mr Randell’s appointment. He will replace Br Paul Kane FMS who has been principal for the past seven years. He is taking on the important role as superior of the formation community at Fitzroy, where is duties will include facilitation of amalga-

(left) with outgoing principal Br mation of Australia’s two Marist Brother provinces. Mr Randell has Masters Degrees in Educational Leadership and Religious Education and has been principal at Nathalia since 2003. He was deputy principal in 2000-01 before teaching for a year at Port Maquarie. Earlier in his career he taught for three years at Galen College, Wangaratta, and then 14 years at Loreto College, Ballarat. He grew up at Benalla and attended secondary college at Champagnat College, Wangaratta. Mr Randell and his wife Carmel have three sons, of whom the youngest Sean will accompany them to Sale, commencing in Year 7 at Sion campus next year. Eldest son Tom is a primary school teacher at Thornbury and Patrick is completing a computer science degree at RMIT University.

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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.

Please help families in need BISHOP’S FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Bishop’s Family Foundation assists families within Sale Diocese by providing funding to various charities. Please help us continue our good work by donating generously. Send donations to:

Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 508, Sale 3853

Page 4 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Making my Christmas list

Honest opinion

BISHOP Prowse, visiting a nursing home, encountered an old woman who addressed him several times formally as “My Lord,” which impressed him greatly. Enquiring about her health he was told in no uncertain terms “I’m buggered!” – not normal language you’d expect from someone so formal in her original mode of address. It brought a smile to the bishop’s face.

No cheer here

WE wonder about the marketing gurus who produced so many slabs of beer commemorating the Collingwood AFL premiership. Bottle shops have cases of the stuff sitting around unsold. Collingwood fans may account for about 12 percent of Victorian football fans but that leaves 88 percent of potential beer drinkers who hate the Magpies and certainly wouldn’t drink a beer in their honor unless they were virtually giving it away. Having a few Gippsland boys amoung the premiers hasn’t been enough to boost sales.

Mass change

MASS times for Foster and Yarram as published in last month’s issue were slightly incorrect. For the record Masses at Yarram are at 9am on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, and 11am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. For Foster, Masses are 11am on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays and 9am on the 2nd and 4th

Sundays. Correct weekend Mass times for all parishes are on our diocesan website www.sale.catholic. org. au. For Christmas Mass times please contact individual parishes.

CD available

FOR those who wanted keepsakes of the Migrant Sunday Mass and celebrations afterwards, it is now available on CD. It can be ordered from Thomas Abraham on 0431 616 528 for $10.

A sad state

SAD that more and more shopping centres are opting out of erecting traditional nativity scenes for the Christmas period. One in Sydney has claimed they will not be displaying a nativity scene because it might offend non-Christians. Surely not. If they thought about it they might discover that the whole Santa Claus thing actually has something to do with Christians celebrating the season we call Christmas, which comes from “Christ’s Mass”. Of course the same shopping centres won’t be donating any of the massive profits they make from the season to charity.

CHRISTMAS is a gift in so many ways. The annual celebrating of the coming of Jesus, “God with a human face” as Pope Benedict calls him, is a reminder to us of what is really important in life. In Jesus we see what God is like, not just in words but in action, lived out day by day. In Jesus we see God’s vision for our world, a place of peace through justice and fairness, a place where people are treated equally and with love, regardless of creed or their status, a place of kindness and generosity - the hungry and thirsty are fed, people are clothed, the lonely and sick visited (Mtt 24). In Jesus we see where true happiness and peace lie, not in power or possessions as this humble birthplace so graphically illustrates, but in Jesus’ invitation to love others just as he did. How God-with-a-human-face chose to be born in the world doesn’t quite fit with what people at that time expected and, in so many ways that disappointment continues today. Christmas is God’s answer to human longing, God’s response to the centuries of prayers that lay hidden in our groaning, our sighs, our frustrations, and our religious efforts, each of them a plea, mostly silent, for a divine intervention, all of them asking God to come and rid the world of injustice and our hearts of loneliness and heartache. (Ronald Rolheiser, Newsletter December 14, 2008) But God arrived in poverty, simplicity and almost in secrecy. It just wasn’t what was expected. People at that time and even today look for something quite different – when we pray for God’s intervention in our lives, this isn’t quite what we have in mind. It would be much better if he came with a flourish of trumpets, in grand style, accompanied by angels and clear signs and signals from God – like a superstar perhaps, the miracle worker coming to purge the world of evil, to bang heads together, to

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punish the sinner, to reward the likes of us! Instead we got someone who arrived just like we do a helpless baby but this one was born into obscurity and poverty. Jesus did not come as a superhero but rather as one who challenged prevailing beliefs and invited us to work with him to bring about God’s vision, to work together to bring justice, harmony and peace. Christmas also reminds us of the importance of little things in daily life like going out of our way to make people feel welcome and loved and needed, giving thanks for the daily gift of life, the wonder of being alive, the beauty of God’s presence in the world around us and in those we meet. Christmas reminds us too of the importance of family and gives us the chance to express how much they mean to us. It helps us recall how much we owe to others on our journey, our friends of long standing and others we have met along the way who have made a difference, large or small, to who we are and what we have become. Some years ago the following appeared on the Sunday notice sheet in the parish where I lived at that time. It is a great reminder of just how much we owe to others as we journey through life. I have a list of people I know, all written in a book. And every year at Christmas time, I go and take a look. And that is when I realize that these names are a part.... Not of the book they’re written in, but of my very heart. For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime,

And in that meeting they’ve become the rhythm in each rhyme. And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim, I really feel that I’m composed of each remembered name. And while you may not be aware of any special link Just meeting you has changed my life, and a lot more than you think. For once I’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face. So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine Of names on a Christmas list, forgotten in between. For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you, It’s because you are on the list of those I am indebted to. For I am the total of the many I have met And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget. And whether I have known you for many years or few, In some way you have been a part in shaping things I do. And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew The best gift life can offer is meeting those like you. And may the spirit of Christmas that forever endures, Leave the richest blessings in the hearts of you and yours. (Anon) May God bless you and yours as we celebrate the coming of Christ into our lives and into our world this year.

January mission retreat THE mission Finding Home in Jesus will take place in the western end of Sale Diocese in late January and early February. The mission will be co-hosted by Bishop Christopher Prowse and Bro Lalith Perera of the Community of the Risen Lord. It will open with a session led by Br Lalith at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Narre Warren, at 7.30pm on Friday, January 28. That weekend he will lead a four steps retreat at St Francis Xavier College, Berwick campus hall on Ridgemount Drive. Saturday will conclude with reconciliation and Sunday with Mass. From January 31 to February

3, Br Lalith will lead sessions each night at 7.30pm at the Narre Warren Church. The session on February 4, will be at St Michael’s Church, Berwick. The mission retreat concludes on the weekend of February 5-6 with Finding Home in Jesus led by Bishop Prowse and Br Lalith at St Francis Xavier College hall. The retreat will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Prowse. Brochures should be available in most parishes across the diocese and more information can be obtained from Lal Gunatilake 8786 7509, Fernando De Lazarabaal 8669 2009, Michael Power 5678 2271 or Peter Schreurs 5998 1554.

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Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 5

‘Three Springtimes’ launched in Sale

Relive the Cathedral History in this stylish new book Highly-regarded Sale historian and author Peter Synan has written a history of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, titled Three Springtimes.

AUTHOR Peter Synan signs a book for Kaylene Wheeler, Sale. A LARGE crowd of people attended the launch of Peter Synan’s pictorial book covering the history of St Mary’s Cathedral Sale. Three Springtimes – Chronicles of St Mary’s Cathedral Sale divides the development of the cathedral into three distinct eras. The first period refers to the construction of what was originally a red brick church through to its completion with the addition of the domed sanctuary in 1912. The second period covers the extensive beautification works begun by Bishop Richard Ryan in 1927 and the third covers the major renovation and extensions which began in 1992 under the guidance of Bishop Jeremiah Coffey and Mgr John Allman. At the opening Synan conveyed his thanks to the many people who had assisted him in gathering information and finding photographs for illustrations and reviewing the work prior to publication. He also thanked the sponsors,

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acknowledged in the book, who had made its printing possible. After the launch by Bishop Chistopher Prowse, the author was kept busy signing dozens of copies of the book. Those present then adjourned to St Mary’s School for light refreshments. Three Springtimes is a hard bound book with a colored dust jacket, and covers in detail the cathedral from 1884 when it was decided to build a new Catholic church in Sale through to the present time. It is an ideal coffee table book and would make a great Christmas present. Copies of the book can be purchased for $40 from the Sale parish office, Catholic Development Fund, Bishop’s Office and from many other parishes across the diocese. Copies can also be ordered on the form at right for $55 which includes $15 postage and handling. Alternatively a form can be filled out online on the diocese website www.sale.catholic. org.au, then printed off and posted with the required amount of money. Access the form by clicking on Cathedral Appeal in the Quick Links panel. The book launch co-incided with the launch of the master plan for restoration of the cathedral and the launch of an appeal to raise up to $1 million over the next three years to finance the urgently needed works (Details of the required works and appeal featured in last month’s issue). Donations can also be made to the appeal via the Quick Links on the diocese Webpage www.sale.catholic.org.au.

This publication was officially launched by Bishop Christopher Prowse at the Cathedral on Tuesday, November 9. This hardcover book retails for $40 and will become a keepsake. It is an ideal coffee table book and will make a great present for Christmas. It is full of photographs from the earliest years of the Cathedral, through until today.

✁

Copies are available for $40 from the Bishop’s Office, Catholic Development Fund, and parish offices throughout the diocese if attending in person. Note: Mail order is $15 dearer.

MAIL ORDER FORM:

Send to: Diocese of Sale, PO Box 508, Sale, 3853

Please send me a copy of the book Three Springtimes. I enclose a cheque or money order ❑ or please debit my Visa ❑ Mastercard ❑

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Page 6 - Catholic Life, December 2010

So much to celebrate in Catholic education sphere 2010 has been an exciting year for Catholic education in the Diocese of Sale. The constant flow of events, initiatives and demands from government have kept schools and the Catholic Education Office busy. But, as Christmas nears, we can begin to look back and see that there is much to celebrate, much to thank God for. It is worth mentioning just a few of these. Clearly, the high point of the year, one to which all our schools worked so hard, was the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. It was, and continues to be, an opportunity for each of us to acknowledge the work and the holiness of this great woman. At the same time it is also an opportunity for us to give thanks for the extraordinary work of her sisters in our diocese over so many decades. Now, there are only seven “Joeys” working in our diocese. But one sister wrote to me recently remembering a time when the sisters returning from summer holidays took up an entire carriage on the Gippslander train. What a wonderful heritage we are privileged to carry on today! Another highlight has been the Australian government’s Building the Education Revolution program. This has provided such wonderful new facilities in our primary schools, and to a lesser extent, in our secondary colleges too. The BER has been much denigrated by some, but if any of the detractors was to visit our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sale, they would have to review their opinion. Our schools have obtained great value for the government’s

dollars. It has been my privilege to take part in the ceremonies of blessing and opening of many of these. I am constantly amazed the way our Catholic communities have worked so well together to obtain such a breathtaking outcome. On a systemic and very pragmatic level, we have reason to celebrate, too. Thanks to much hard work and strong support from our communities, we have been able to obtain an extension of our funding security from the Australian government and pledges from both major parties at state level to tie our funding to 25 percent of the cost of educating a student in a Victorian government school. This is a great result, one towards which we have been working for many years. While there is still much work to be done at both Federal and State levels, these do represent real progress. Two liturgical celebrations also stand out in my mind. The annual leadership Mass (and subsequent dinner) was a wonderful experience of who we are as a Catholic educational community. On that occasion Bishop Prowse distributed a great number of 25 year awards to school staff, marking their extraordinary service for which, again, we must give thanks. The second was the Catholic Education Week Student’s Mass in the Cathedral. It was a truly beautiful ceremony at the conclusion of which, our Bishop remarked that in the 30 years of his priesthood, this was the most prayerful student’s Mass he had ever celebrated. Wonderful praise indeed! There are many other things, great things, that could be men-

with Talking Peter Catholic Ryan Education tioned. But so many fall into the capacity of, “that’s just what we do.” The introduction of the National Partnerships is one such. This was difficult work for all and the results are yet to be seen, but the commitment of people to make it happen continues to be quite extraordinary. The opening of St Brigid’s primary school in Officer was another great landmark. Again, this represented the end point (and a new beginning) of much hard work and commitment from the parish community. We have seen, the successful purchase of land for a second campus of St Peter’s College in Cranbourne. This was a tortuous process, but it was concluded successfully and building has started. On a less obvious, but no less important level, there is a noticeable change happening in our schools. Where once some of our schools took great pride in their “pastoral care”, sometimes at the cost of much else, now we see a growing belief that we can continue to show care while

holding high expectations and demanding very high standards of performance. It is most encouraging to see. While all this is happening, the wonderful every day work in every classroom in every school continues. Every day students, and staff, are learning, sometimes in challenging circumstances. They are learning from their successes and they are learning from their apparent failures. They are learning using new technologies, they are learning using the tried and true. They are learning through the relationships they enjoy with each other and from the programs and activities that are being introduced. This is the nature of our work and it can never be taken for granted. There is always so much to celebrate. However, we look forward with anticipation to 2011. IT presents a substantial agenda!. The introduction of the Australian curriculum is certainly something that will take our energy and time.

The introduction of the Integrated Catholic Online Network is another that will absorb our energy and resources. Learning to use properly the MySchool website will also take attention. These and many other issues are being articulated as I write in a new approach to strategic planning for the diocese. Soon, there will be published a new “Directions document” that attempts to outline all those things that will take our time, energy and resources over the coming three years. While it may look daunting it also provides wonderful opportunities and great excitement. In the Catholic Education Office in Warragul, while we very much look forward to the arrival of Bishop Prowse and the diocesan staff to share our facilities, we also approach the matter with some trepidation. Building projects are extremely disruptive and 2011 promises to be a very disrupted year from that point of view. We are confident that the result will be worth it. In conclusion, I would like to thank every member of our Catholic education communities for the work they have done during this busy year. I wish all a happy and holy Christmas and look forward to a safe return for all after what is clearly a well earned break.

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SISTERS of St Joseph in the front pews during the diocesan Mass to celebrate the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. SALE – Sisters of St Joseph from across Victoria gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral Sale for the official recognition of the canonisation of their founder St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The diocesan thanksgiving Mass was celebrated on November 12 allowing many of the pilgrims who travelled to Rome for the canonisation to be present. The Josephites, wearing their distinctive light blue scarves, occupied the front pews of the cathedral. Sitting among them in a bond of shared faith were the Nigerian Sisters of the Nativity from Cranbourne and diocesan chaplain to the Italian community Sr Elizabeth Roberts MFIC, Morwell, In his homily Bishop Christopher Prowse said that he was honored to have been present at the canonisation ceremony in Rome. He was sure that everyone present and those who had participated via the media would have had their Catholic faith deepened by what had happened

over the past few weeks. Along with many others, he was stopped in his tracks when he entered St Peter’s Square to see the portrait of Mary MacKillop displayed on the façade of St Peter’s Basilica. “For the first time in the 2000 year history of our beloved Catholic Church, we could see an Australian – one from our own soil – a saint of God. Bishop Prowse recalled that Mary had began one of her important letters to a Roman official with the memorable line “It is an Australian who writes.” Now we could say “It is an Australian who is a saint.” He said that Pope Benedict had described her as a holy woman who with courage and zeal, perseverance and prayer, dedicated her life to the needs of the young. The key word to note was holiness. “The holiness of a saint has an immense attracting power towards God, the source of all holiness. Holiness is a sheer gift and grace of God.” St Mary of the Cross radiated the beauty of Jesus to us in her

own life which was full of joys but plenty of sufferings and pain. Bishop Prowse said that at the time of her death there were signs that people recognised her saintly holiness including Cardinal Moran, who famously stated “I have this day attended the death bed of a saint … her death will bring many blessings.” Her spiritual director in later life had described her as being ‘in continuous union with God” and “wrapped up in God.” The bishop said Mary’s kindness to others were among the vivid memories of those who knew her. By radiating God’s loving kindness she truly, in imitation of Jesus, gave light and hope to the marginalised ones of her time. “Now we have our own Australian saint to intercede for us and help us all to be characterised as a people of loving kindness, trusting in Jesus alone.”

Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 7

The future is more than just tomorrow seems that the words “investing”, “trading” and “punting” have been confused by some people. With any form of investing it is very important to determine the time frame that the investor has available to let the investment operate, or what it’s hoped to achieve within that time frame. All growth assets (shares and property) have a longer term prospect than other forms of investments – such as bank deposits, options and such which are designed for income. As such, a longer term view will always entail a degree of volatility, but should generate a far higher rate of return over its normal timeframe than an income investment. And so, it seems, some people tend to use the sharemarket as a means to take a continuing short term approach and expect to get rich, whereas I am of the view that a longer term bias, with IT

some shorter term opportunities is a better way. Almost a case of “getting rich reliably against trying to get rich quickly.” It’s better to bank on the reliability bit. Chasing short term gains as a primary strategy is fraught with risks. Either by using high gearing levels (options, CFD’s) or chasing speculative gains the risk tends to outweigh the rewards. Trying to gain some short term advantage always requires an amount of luck, good fortune and chance – not the best way to build a future. Do you have the time to monitor your short term investments every hour, every day? I know of a fellow who’s sold his business and is taking the advice of his friend to trade on a very short term basis on the sharemarket. He’s thinks he’s investing, but really he’s coming close to gambling. He’s looking to make his fortune by tomor-

DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells

row. Taking advice from your friends, unless they are licensed advisers, is fraught with danger. Like gamblers, you’ll hear all about their wins and never the truth with their losses. On the other hand, taking a longer term approach, following sound advice based on properly researched informationand investing in quality (boring?) businesses that have made and will continue to make profits seems very tame. BHP for instance won’t make you rich by tomorrow, but over time it will help you become rich. In the mid 1990’s we could buy

Rice night aid for E. Timor BAIRNSDALE - Students of Escola Secundaria Santo Antonio in Baucau, East Timor, will benefit from the successful Rhythms for Rice held on November 12, at Nagle College. Proceeds of the evening will support the school’s lunch program, which has been funded by the Bairnsdale Friends of East Timor since 2004. Overlooking the beautiful Mitchell River, on a calm, warm evening, patrons enjoyed the delightful musical entertainment of many generous local musicians, including the Bairnsdale Citizens’ Band, Cookies and Cream, Feva Pitch, Nagle Tunes, D.J John O’Sullivan, Nagle music students including Davide Colombo, Robin Johnson, Jess Porter, David Bailey, Tiffany Bolding and Rachel Savage. The ever popular and entertaining Underdog saw the show out. Tasty refreshments were enjoyed and there was a great variety of competition prizes. Bairnsdale Friends of East Timor thanks sincerely, all generous supporters of this event. They congratulate and thank

BHP for less than $8. That $8 is now worth more than 12 times as much. And the investor has had dividends as well. The same goes for property, too. We don’t expect to buy some real estate and then sell it tomorrow for a huge profit. We take a long term view. Property over time has a slightly lower average return than the share market, and has poorer liquidity. But people who invest in direct property generally accept that it’s a long term approach that works best. Taking a short term view increases the risk, the volatility and the costs. There is little benefit to be had for reasonable and non professional investors to look at the short term as the main game. However, by investing for a longer term, in better businesses and allowing these investments to come to fruition, you can reduce the risks and become

quite comfortable with the approach. There isn’t anything wrong with taking good gains when they arrive – even in the short term. Nor is there anything wrong with selling an investment that hasn’t worked, even in the short term. The problem is identifying whether the out- or under-performance is a lasting thing. We have two true rules in the sharemarket – “let the profits run” and “the first loss is the cheapest”. Investing for the short term cuts out the best way to obtain growth, which ultimately is far more important than income. The future is far longer than just tomorrow, and those who will face it best financially are those who are prepared for it and use the time wisely. Invest for it, too. • 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.

WELCOMING guests to Rhythm of Rice evening are (from left) Raelene Casanelia, Margaret Sheehan and Mary Duncan. Nagle College staff and students, for their initiative and hard work in preparing the concert. Such a wonderful contribution to ESSA’s lunch program helps

to ensure the ongoing education of young East Timorese people, which is so essential for the country’s development.

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Page 8 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Pictorial round-up of ordination to priesthood of Fr Dariusz Jablonski

THE newly ordained Fr Dariusz Jablonski surrounded by friends and well-wishers including his mother Therese (front, second from right), Bishop Christopher Prowse (rear centre) and Bishop Emeritus Jeremiah Coffey (second from left).

DEACON Dariusz Jablonski just prior to the ordination.

LYING prostrate on the floor during the Litany of the Saints

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Page 10 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Influential Gippsland State and Federal politicians WITH Federal and State elections recently completed, it’s a good time to look at the political complexion of Gippsland in historical terms. Gippsland has generally been, like most rural districts, a conservative one. It voted reasonably strongly for both conscription referenda in 1916-17, whereas the overall Australian majority was slightly against in both cases. Here both the farmers organizations and the trade unions were protectionist in outlook. The Country/National Party has been stronger here than the Liberal Party. Gippsland’s most successful politician was Allan McLean of Maffra who achieved prominence in public life around the turn of the 20th Century. He was Premier of Victoria from December 1899 to November 1900, and Deputy Prime Minister in 1904-5 in the ReidMcLean Federal Government. Allan McLean was born at Oban on the west coast of Scotland in 1840. The McLean family, Charles (father of Allan), his wife, Charles’ brother Angus, and the young Allan came to Gippsland in 1842 as part of the first wave of Scottish settlers in the province. What made them unusual among the Gippsland Highland Scots was their Catholic religion. Some parts of the highlands and islands of Scotland remained Catholic during the Reformation - the McLeans were part of this group. With another Scotsman, Simon Gillies, they set up their own squatting run of Glenaladale. In adulthood Allan McLean founded a stock-andstation agency based at Maffra,

Gippsland History with Patrick Morgan became president of Maffra Shire Council, Member for Gippsland North in the Victorian Parliament, and a minister. McLean was elected Premier when a group of country liberals and city radicals passed a vote of no confidence in the Premier George Turner. Country people had become dissatisfied with the urban domination of politics. McLean, a forerunner of the Country and National Parties, believed in state tariffs, a livestock poll tax and other protectionist measures. After Federation he transferred to the new Federal Parliament as member for the seat of Gippsland, which he held from 1901 to 1906, becoming Minister for Customs in the Reid-McLean cabinet. Catholicism was incidental to his rise. As a country member he was not associated with Melbourne Catholic politics, nor with issues dear to the Catholic interest, such as State Aid. One commentator said of him in The Advocate of February 10, 1900: ‘The accession of Mr Allan McLean to the Premiership will doubtless be welcomed by the Catholics of the colony. If he cannot do much to ameliorate their educational grievances, he can be relied upon to do nothing that would embitter or intensify them’.

McLean was eventually defeated by George Wise, a Mayor of Sale, at the 1906 Federal election. Wise, an ardent Federationist and LiberalProtectionist who sometimes stood as an Independent and sometimes as a Nationalist, held the seat of Gippsland on and off until he was defeated by Tom Paterson of the Country Party in 1922. The highlight of his time in politics was being appointed Postmaster-General, in Billy Hughes’ Nationalist government in 1920-21. George Wise was very well known all over Gippsland during his long political career. His biography, Three Cheers for the Commonwealth of Australia, has been written by the Sale historian, Peter Synan. Jim McLachlan won the Victorian seat of North Gippsland for the Labor Party in 1908. He left the Labor Party over conscription, which he favored, and became an independent, holding his seat until 1938. His exertions on behalf of his constituents and the community made him a popular figure – he advocated distribution of land to farmers and closer settlement. He remained close to the people and by the end of his three decade career, which was

brought to a close by his death, he had become a revered and almost legendary figure. Sir Herbert Hyland, in the Victorian parliament from 1929 to 1970 as the Member for Gippsland South, was a wellknown Country Party leader between the wars, instrumental in devising schemes to help farmers during the grim years of the Great Depression. In our times prominent Federal cabinet ministers from the National Party have included Peter Nixon and Peter McGauran, both from the Gippsland seat. Peter Ryan of the state seat of Gippsland South is currently State National Party leader and since the recent election is also Deputy Premier. The Labor party was historically small in Gippsland for the simple reason there was no large working-class population, such as gold miners, nor an industrial proletariat until the coming of the brown coal industry in the Latrobe Valley in the 1920s. Labor was strong in Wonthaggi, which had its own State seat from 1927 to 1955, when the seat was abolished due to declining population as the black coal mine closed. Except on rare occasions as with Jim McLachlan, dairy farmers seats in Gippsland never went to ALP as they did in NSW during times of rural crisis. Though Labor is naturally strong in the Latrobe Valley, its problem has been that most seats, both State and Federally, split the Valley in two, so that, instead of having at least one guaranteed Labor seat, the seats become line ball ones, like the present Morwell and Narracan seats.

The Federal seat of McMillan has swung between the three parties, Country Party (Hewson), Labor (Cunningham) and Liberal (Simon and Broadbent) over the past four decades. Another factor is that as the population in Melbourne’s east around Pakenhan and Crenbourne increases, the seats ‘move’ towards Melbourne, which means that seats in central Gippsland have a higher proportion of rural voters, which helps the National Party. In the decades of the Bolte and Hamer Liberal governments, Gippsland’s influence was relatively small. We had only one Minister, Jim Balfour of Narracan, as against many for the Western District. As a result Gippslanders complained that the double highway to Ballarat and beyond was constructed decades before we got one. In recent times Keith Hamilton of the Morwell seat was Minister for Agriculture in the Bracks Labor government. Before the rise of Peter Ryan to Deputy Premier last week, the last time Gippsland became influential in politics was in the 1999 State election which saw the demise of the Liberal’s Jeff Kennett. Of three rural independents who had the balance of power and voted against him, two came from Gippsland seats – the recently-defeated Craig Ingram of Gippsland East and Susan Davies of Gippsland West In his book Gippsland: People, A Place and Their Past, John Wells has a chapter on the politics of the region, listing parliamentarians who have held State and Federal seats here.

Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 11

For the Young and Young at Heart Time for a Laugh Christmas colouring contest ONCE there was a billionaire, who collected live crocodiles and kept them in the pool in back of his mansion. One day, the billionaire decides to throw a huge party, and during the party he announces, “My dear guests, I have a proposition to every man here. I will give $1 million to the man who can swim across this pool full of crocodiles and emerge unharmed!” As soon as he finished his last word, there was the sound of a large splash in the pool. The guy in the pool was swimming with all his might, and the crowd began to cheer him on. Finally, he made it to the other side of the pool unharmed. The billionaire was impressed. He said, “That was incredible! Fantastic! I didn’t think it could be done! Well, I must keep my end of the bargain. I guess I owe you a million dollars?” The guy catches his breath, then says, “Listen, I don’t want your money! I want the guy who pushed me in the pool!” WHAT did Adam say the night before Christmas? It’s Christmas, Eve! A SWAGMAN comes up to the front door of a neat looking farmhouse and raps gently on the door. When the farm owner answers, the swaggie asks him, “Please, sir, could you give me something to eat? I haven’t had a good meal in several days.” The owner says, “I have made a fortune in my lifetime by supplying goods for people. I’ve never given anything away for nothing. However, if you go around the back, you will see a tin of paint and a clean paint brush. If you will paint my porch, I will give you a good meal.” So the swaggie goes around back and a while later he again knocks on the door. The owner says, “Finished already? Good. Come on in. Sit down. The cook will bring your meal right in.” The swaggie says, “Thank you very much, sir. But there’s something that I think you should know. It’s not a Porsche you got there. It’s a BMW.” WHAT do monkeys sing at Christmas? Jungle bells, jungle bells. JUNIOR had just received his brand new drivers licence. To celebrate, the whole family trooped out to the driveway and climbed into the car for his inaugural drive. Dad immediately headed to the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver. “I’ll bet you’re back there to

get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive,” said the beaming boy to his old man. “Nope,” came dad’s reply, “I’m gonna sit back here and kick the back of your seat while you drive, just like you have been doing to me for 18 years.” TWO old ladies have played bridge together for many years, and naturally they have gotten to know each other pretty well. One day, during a game of cards, one lady suddenly looks up at the other and says, “I realise we’ve known each other for many years, but for the life of me, I just can’t bring it to mind. Would you please tell me your name again, dear?” There is dead silence for a couple of minutes, then the other lady responds, “How soon do you need to know?” ONE night, an aeroplane was flying with five people on board: the pilot, Tiger Woods, Bill Gates, an elderly bishop, and a young longhaired man. Suddenly, there was an explosion and the passenger cabin began to fill with smoke. The cockpit door opened, and the pilot burst into the compartment. “Gentlemen,” he began, “I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that we’re about to crash. The good news is that there are four parachutes, and I have one of them!” With that, the pilot threw open the door and jumped from the plane. Tiger Woods was on his feet in a flash. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am the world’s greatest golfer. The world needs great athletes. I think the world’s greatest athlete should have a parachute!” With these words, he grabbed one of the remaining parachutes, and hurtled through the door and into the night. Bill Gates rose and said, “Gentlemen, I am the world’s smartest man. The world needs smart men. I think the world’s smartest man should have a parachute, too.” He grabbed one, and out he jumped. The bishop and the young man looked at one another. Finally, the bishop spoke. “My son,” he said, “I have lived a long and satisfying life and I have no fear of dying. You have your life ahead of you; you take a parachute, and I will go down with the plane.” The young man smiled slowly and said, “Hey, don’t worry. The world’s smartest man just jumped out wearing my backpack.”

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send entries to: Colouring Contest, c/- Catholic Life, PO Box 183, Sale. 3853

And this month’s winner is... ✰✰ Jess Sanna Orbost ✰✰ JESS is nine years old and goes to St Joseph’s Primary School in Orbost. Her colouring of the monkey madness piucture last month has been judged the best. A great effort. Your prize will be delivered before school ends for the year. Best of luck with the Christmas scene this month and we will be back next year.

EMMA Brinker-Ritchie, from Yarram, who was one of our Mary MacKillop Chiuldren’s Prayer Book winners, displays her prize.

Page 12 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Celebrating Sion 120 years SALE - 2010 marks 120 years since the first Sisters of Our Lady of Sion arrived in Sale. Seven sisters of French, Irish and English origin answered the invitation of Bishop Corbett to set up a secondary school in his newly formed Diocese, arriving in March 1890. This remarkable story was recalled two weeks ago when more that 200 past students and Friends of Sion gathered at the Sion Campus for a special luncheon. The oldest former student was Pat Cahill, formerly Pat Froud, who attended the reunion with her husband Xavier and daugh-

ter Liz Richards. Pat was a student at Sion in the 1930’s. She was delighted to meet with current students, and other past students to swap stories, and share memories of their time at the college. The current Sisters of Our Lady of Sion who were able to attend were delighted with the respect and honor they were shown with a civic reception on the Friday night, a Mass at the gravesides of the 62 Sisters who are buried at the Sale Cemetery on the Saturday and a Mass celebrated by Bishop Prowse and other priests at the cathedral on the Sunday.

On the Saturday afternoon more than 500 people came through the doors in York St. to explore what is one of the finest buildings in Sale. Devonshire teas were served by current students on the front lawn, and visitors to the chapel appreciated the expertise of the players and the fine acoustics as they listened to the College Strings group. A hard working committee had been planning the events for almost a year, and the members were delighted with the response from past students and the public, and the current staff and students at Catholic College Sale.

A new life for old statues WARRAGUL – Old plaster statues are being given a new lease of life under the skilful work of Roz Stewart of Warragul. Time has taken toll of many statues at the rear of our churches and many of the nativity scenes are badly in need of repair. Missing fingers, toes, noses, and ears are common fates for many of the statues, while other just suffer from chipping or faded paint. Much of the work she has done over the past 12 months has been in the Warragul and Drouin parishes. The Sacred Heart statues in the foyer of St Joseph’s Church and a similar one at St Joseph’s

Primary have both been repaired and repainted, as have the Immaculate Conception statues from St Ita’s Church, Drouin and St Ignatius Church, Neerim South. Like most people doing such work, she is not formally trained but she has a talent for art and craft and a desire to see statues brought back to their best. She is also regularly in contact with the handful of others working in her field around Australia. She said that often previous attempts are repairing or repainting statues had to be removed before beginning restoration because wrong materials had been used. With Christmas coming up, parishes will bring their nativity

scenes out of storage and she urges the pieces to be inspected for damage. “If you wait after Christmas, they will probably just be put away again and the need for repairs will be forgotten for another year. “At least if you have the damage photographed, you can get a quote on repairs.” Mrs Stewart can be contacted on 5623 6509 or stewgang@bigpond.com.

Some ideas for gift giving BIBLE MEMORY GAME by Lion Hudson, Candle Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, cardboard card game, rrp $9.99. WHILE card games are not normally reviewed in this books section, we have looked at this offering because it would make an ideal Christmas stocking filler. The cards are made of solid cardboard which makes them sturdy enough to survive a game of snap. There are 20 pairs of cards, each featuring a different Bible character. The pairs can be used for memory but there is also another interesting feature in that the card fronts are also color-coded into different pairs, for instance Adam and Eve, Martha and Mary, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. This pairing makes for a more interesting game of memory and an adult can prompt interest by asking why the two are paired. It then opens the opportunity to read the corresponding Bible passage where the characters appear.

ROZ Stewart shows the new fingers she created for this statue of the Immaculate Conception from St Ita’s Church which were broken off by continually being touched by parishioners

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SR Lauraine Brice NDS, the last Sister of Sion to be resident in Sale, with Sion campus head Peter Centra.

NOAH AND THE FLOOD, Read and Play box, by Lion Hudson, Candle Books, board book and stand-up characters, rrp $14.99. THIS simple 10 page board book tells the story of Noah and the Ark. The illustrations are welldrawn and the words basic enough for a very young child. The added bonus comes with a box attached to the rear of the book containing 10 thick cardboard stand-up characters. There’s Noah and his wife, a giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, lion, turtle, penguin, rabbit and cat. Youngsters can play with the characters after they hear the story and there would be some

Talking about Books good oppoortunites for adults with basic craft skills to encourage such play by converting an old shoe box into an ark. JOURNEY FOR HOME & LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS, music and meditation CDs, by Deanna Light and Paul Tate, published by World Library Publications, distributed by Rainbow Books, rrp $24.95 each. MANY people are interested in guided meditation and these two CDs provide the ideal opportunity to be led into meditative moments. Each CD contains six different meditations, all of which are suitable for personal reflection or in a group setting. The Journey for Home CD is designed to be used during a person’s faith journey, especially during Lent or in periods of personal doubt, struggle, grief or longing. Light in the Darkness is more designed for the AdventChristmas season. The music at times can dominate the voice, forcing the listener to have to concentrate on the words instead of just letting them flow through your mind. A mini journal is included with each CD for personal notes and to record your reflections. WIPE CLEAN ACTIVITY BOOKS 1 & 2 by Lion Hudson, laminated paperback, rrp $5.99 each. ANOTHER great stocking filler with a religious flavor is these

wipe clean activity books. Children can do the puzzles and mazes in crayon or felt tip pen, then the pages can be wiped clean, ready for a another child or another day. The pictures are well drawn and will appeal to children, as will the brightly colored pages. These books are designed for kindergarten and prep aged children and encourage them to write numbers and letters by joining dots or writing over a word already printed. Again these books leave plenty of opportunity for parents to interact with youngsters by sharing the Bible stories from which the activities are based. CATHOLIC CORNER - Year A, puzzle books for ages 5-7 & 710, including CD Rom, soft cover, 67 pages, rrp $27.95 each. WHILE these books were designed as a resource for teachers and catechists, they would also a great resource for parents. There are word games, mazes, brain teasers and puzzles, all inspired by the Sunday readings over the coming year. The CDs which accompany each volume allow you to print off multiple copies of the particular activity rather than damage the books. Children will be able to color in the pictures, follow the mazes, do some amazing word puzzles and learn more about the Bible as they do so. And because they are tied in with the Sunday readings, children are likely to find the tasks more appealling.

Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 13

New Drouin hall is blessed

Quick calendar

What’s on & when 26 - Australia Day 31 - Memorial of St John Bosco

December

IN front of the commemorative plaques are (from left) principal Andrew Osler, deputy director of Catholic education Tilly Hutton, Bishop Christopher Prowse, Russel Broadbent MHR, McMillan, and parish priest Fr Herman Hengel. DROUIN – The new multi-purpose hall at St Ita’s Primary School, Drouin, has been officially opened and blessed by Bishop Christopher Prowse. Funding for the facility was provided by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution program. In his address to students the bishop said that Catholic educations were available in many country towns because of the foresight of Mary MacKillop. She saw the need to establish schools and did, so right across Australia and New Zealand, before Australia was even a

country. “When Mary MacKillop was your age she opened her heart to Jesus and let God work through her.” Bishop Prowse said that when Mary MacKillop died in 1909, more than 1000 women had committed to her vision and had joined her in her work. He said that while the Josephites established by St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, as she was now known, had a large influence in Gippsland, so too had the French community of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion who had arrived to estab-

lish a Catholic school 120 years ago. Sale was the first place in Australia where the sisters set up a convent, and many of those sisters who had served generations of Gippslanders were buried at the Sale cemetery. “These were all women who gave their lives to Jesus. As young people you should be praying Lord use me like you used St Paul, Mary MacKillop and the Sion Sisters. “Use me now to be the sort of person you would like me to be.”

Josephite Associates form

SR Mary Fermio (left) with the newly formed Josephite Associates from Wonthaggi and Inverloch. WONTHAGGI - After preparing themselves through the formation program during the year, 13 women of Wonthaggi and Inverloch were enrolled as Josephite Associates on November 21 by Sr Mary Fermio RSJ who is the Victorian co-ordinator of Josephite Associates. The commitment to live the charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop in their lives was made at the Sunday Mass and was witnessed by the congregation. Each received the Associate’s badge, a copy of the manual which they had been studying, and a certificate. Now members of the Josephite

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family, they join the Josephite Sisters, Affiliated Josephites, Covenant Josephites, Junior Josephites and many volunteers who work with Josephites in their ministries. The Mission of Josephite Associates is to live the charism of Mary MacKillop in their own unique way, in their daily lives. They support each other by friendship, prayer and service to make a difference in their local area and to further the reign of God in our world. Other Associate groups exist in Gippsland at Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Morwell, Maffra, Leongatha, Bunyip, and Koo Wee Rup. A new group is being formed in Bairnsdale in 2011 and invita-

tions have been received from other parishes who hope to establish a Josephite Associate group. Groups meet regularly, usually every second month, to reflect on life as a Josephite, ways of living the Charism, to share friendship and to consider ways of service in their local area and of helping ministries of the Josephites. After Mass the new Associates celebrated with lunch at the Wonthaggi Golf Club, members of their family joining them. Any parish or individual who is interested in the Josephite Associates can contact Sr Mary Fermio on 5367 2078 or PO Box 37 Bacchus Marsh 3340 or by email associatesvic@sosj.org.au.

February 2 - Presentsation of the Lord 14 - St Valentine's Day

March 4 - World Day of Prayer 8 - Shrove Tuesday 9 - Ash Wednesday 17 - St Patrick's Day 21 - Equinox 25 - Annunciation of the Lord

April

January

1 - April Fool's Day 17 - Palm Sunday 18 - Jewish Passover begins 22 - Good Friday 23 - Holy Saturday 24 - Easter Sunday 25 - Anzac Day

1 - New Year's Day 1 - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 - World Day of Peace 2 - Epiphany 9 - Feast of Baptism of the Lord

Bishop’s Diary December 9 - Luncheon with representatives of Catholic Church Insurances. 10 - Staff Mass for Catholic College Sale, 10.30am. 10 - Meeting with CEO and leaders of Ramahyuck Aboriginal Co-operative, 2pm. 12 - Mass for Polish people at Sacred Heart Church, Morwell, noon. 15 - Meetings of Council of Priests and College of Consultors of Diocese of Sale, noon. 17 - Reflection afternoon for staff of diocese, fol-

lowed by Christmas breakup. 19 - Masses at Phillip Island. 24 - Midnight Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. 25 - 9.30am Mass St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. 27 - Bishop on holidays until end of January.

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12 – Polish Mass, Sacred Heart Church, Morwell, noon 15 – Council of Priests and Consultors meetings, Sale, noon 18 – School holidays begin 24 – Christmas Eve 25 – Christmas Day 26 – Boxing Day 26 - Feast of the Holy Family 27 – Public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day 28 – Public holiday in lieu of Boxing Day 31 – New Year’s Eve

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Page 14 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Taking to the water Preps experience rockpools TRARALGON - As a conclusion to their unit on Oceans Alive grade prep children from St Michael’s Primary School in Traralgon recently visited the rockpools and beach at Inverloch. Children and staff were blessed with a beautiful warm day and were able to find many marine creatures such as sea stars, sea snails, chitons and crabs among the rocks. First stop on arrival in Inverloch was the playground. After a play and a snack, next was Eagle’s Nest where the children had fun making sandcastles before exploring the rock pools with their team leaders. RIGHT: Preps Anna, Joel and Ella have fun in the rockpools. MORWELL - Senior students at St Vincent’s Primary School participated in a swimming carnival at the Morwell Leisure Centre as part of a swimming program which is run for all students throughout the year. The student’s competitiveness showed as they all cheered for their own teams. Many students relished in the fact that they could show team mates their abilities in swimming styles such as freestyle and backstroke. Students were timed in the

50m races and the top two fastest competitors in each age group event will represent the school at the Otto Ford Swimming Carnival in 2011. The swimming program which is designed to teach all students to swim and the importance of water safety has benefited all the children participating in it. Sports co-ordinator Sandra Stevenson said “All the children participated well. It was a very enjoyable day with Rowell team being the overall winners.”

Mary Glowrey cause opens CATHOLIC Women’s League founder Dr Mary Glowrey may become Australia’s next saint. The preliminary phase of her cause for canonisation has begun in Bangalore, India, 53 years after her death. Dr Glowrey was one of Victoria’s first female doctors, specialising in ear, nose and throat complaints. She went to India where she became a religious sister of the Dutch Congregation of the

Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and spent the rest of her life working as a medical missionary. The first stage involves a careful evaluation of her work and writings, as well as her religious life. If Mary MacKillop’s road to sainthood is any indication, the process through Venerable to Blessed to Saint may take decades.

Bishops’ Conference support for Iraq THE Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued a statement of solidarity with the Christian people of Iraq. The statement says the bishops feel the suffering of Christians in Iraq in recent times. Christian communities that have flourished in the region since the time of the apostles now face great persecution. Recent events including hostage-taking and murder of worshippers in the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, have caused great sorrow. This atrocity has been followed by coordinated attacks and bombing against Christians across the country. Iraqis have fled these attacks which have terrorised Christians and non-Christians, at a time when they only seek to live in peace, free from persecution. The bishops said the tragedy of so many Christians being driven from their land would leave the nation more deeply polarised as it struggled to rebuild. Those who remained faced dispossession and poverty. The bishops have asked the Australian Government to do all in its power to address the suf-

fering of Christians and other minorities in Iraq, and to assist those being driven into nearby countries such as Syria. “We join in sorrow with all Iraqi people living in Australia who mourn the deaths of loved ones. “We ask the intercession of Our Lady of Salvation to bring peace and justice to this afflicted nation and eternal rest for those who have died.”

Condolence message to Pike R. mine families THE Bishops of Australia, gathering for their plenary meeting in Sydney, received the sad news of the deaths in New Zealand of the Pike River miners. They offered prayers for the miners and their grieving families during a Mass at the tomb of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The bishops conveyed their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Morwell children explore too MORWELL - St Vincent’s children in grade 1 and 2 had a wonderful time when they went to experience life on the beach at Inverloch recently. Some students who had never seen the beach before had the opportunity to discover the different kinds of life on the beach Rock pooling provided this experience where they discovered the kinds of creatures that live in the pools. Digging and building sandcastles in the sand was also on the agenda along with playing games like beach bingo where the children had to find certain items found on a beach. Students also had a wonderful time visiting the Shell Museum where they saw a Powerpoint on dinosaurs.

School’s sixth stage opened NARRE WARREN - Vicar General Fr Peter Slater officially blessed the six new learning spaces, multipurpose hall and artificial turf sports oval at Mary MacKillop Primary School, Narre Warren North, on November 10. These facilities were financed through the funds provided by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution. The school received $3.2 million from the Federal Government for this program. After the blessing, the buildings were officially opened by Anthony Byrne, Member for Holt Principal Maree Swenson in her address thanked Fr Slater “for again freely giving of your time to be with us today to bless our new buildings today on behalf of Bishop Prowse.” In thanking Mr Byrne, Mrs. Swenson asked him “to please convey our most sincere thanks to your government colleagues for this truly remarkable gift to the young people and their families of our nation? “Since your last visit in 2008 our students have moved into 10 new classrooms, a new library, a new hall and an all weather artificial turf playing area. We have removed from the site eight portable classrooms and relocated five others. “This is truly an outstanding effort and I thank everyone concerned in what has been an amazing timeframe.” Director of Catholic education Peter Ryan, thanked the govern-

PICTURED at the opening (from left) school captain Amy Wilson, Vicar General Fr Peter Slater, Narre Warren parish priest Fr John Allen, director of Catholic education Peter Ryan, BER Projects Officer Tony Anderson, architect Andrew Koster, school board chairman Matt Davis (obscured) and Member for Holt Anthony Byrne. ment for the contribution the The whole school assembly stimulus package had con- was very creatively led by the tributed to the Catholic Schools very talented school choir and of our diocese. band by Teresa Fraraccio.

Learning about environment BERWICK - The Grade Six students from St Michael’s Primary School have been learning about environmental and sustainability issues. Their topic includes investigating better ways to reduce power consumption and the children are encouraged to identify ways of reducing consumption through developing a sustainable model house. “Through the provision of opportunities such as these, the children take on a more responsible view of looking after and sustaining their environment”

said Grade 6 teacher, Kathryn Paynter. This has been consolidated through the school vegetable garden and composting program where some of the Grade 6s have learnt how to cultivate soil and plant various seasonal vegetables. They have been able to experience and observe plant growth patterns from seed to plant, ways to protect and care for their plants using companion planting and nets and sensible watering practices.

Catholic Life, December 2010 - Page 15

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An ecumenical day focus on a great Australian saint

VOCATIONS PRIESTS AND DEACONS 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

thank you WONDERFUL memories of Loch Hymnfest. Thanks to all members of ecumenical choir. We both read and enjoy the article in Catholic Life - Sr Eileen, Northcote, and Sr Camilla, Port Fairy. THANK YOU Saint Clare for prayers answered. A grateful mother.

WITH a portrait of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop are (from left) the Rev Tim Angus, Dr Graham Dettrick, Bishop Christopher Prowse, Fr Peter Bickley and John Cooney. - Christine Lee photo By John Cooney TRARALGON - Some 60 people gathered at St Mary of the Cross Hall, Traralgon, on November 13, for a post canonisation ecumenical event. Bishop Prowse introduced Sr Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s ecumenical involvement by referring to her excommunication. In military terms, Sr Mary displayed astonishing steadiness under fire while being excommunicated by Bishop Sheil. The military analogy takes us further as there is close parallel between excommunication and

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cashiering. Both procedures are arranged to inflict maximum humiliation and alienation on the person being drummed out of life that had been the centre of their being. Yet, as Bishop Prowse noted, during the course of her ordeal, Sr Mary had a sensation of a calm peaceful sense of God. Indeed, whenever confronted with criticisms of bishops and priests, Mary ‘felt a dagger going through my heart’. Even so, a bishop and priests did ‘drum’ her out, and it was Protestant and inter-faith friends who gave her solace and shelter. Bishop Prowse summarised Mary MacKillop’s story and then shared his personal experiences of the canonisation ceremony in Rome. He then allowed the spirit of St Mary of the Cross to arise from the thoughts of those present. Some people sensed Mary’s spirit in places like Penola and her tomb in Sydney. Others were grateful for the institutions established by Mary and her sisters; and the support they received personally from these institutions. Others acknowledged favors. The Rev. Tim Angus, of the Gippsland Presbytery of the Uniting Church thanked Catholics for giving a model of practical care. ‘Someone who shows the love of God’. The Gippsland Ethnic Communities’ Council represented the inter-faith and multifaith participation in the quest for God’s love. GECC has been primarily focused on fostering inter-cultural harmony. However, it has become apparent that there is pressing need to recognize the spiritual aspects of this quest for harmony. Bishop Prowse’s presentation affirmed the commitment of the Sale Diocese to sharing our Catholic heritage, generously, with our friends and neighbors.

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Page 16 - Catholic Life, December 2010

Aboriginal artifacts returned Roman mission to find some missing Sale documents

GRATTAN MULLET (right) accepts Aboriginal artifacts from Catholic College Sale representatives (from left) Colin Little, Tegan Slattery, Daniel Fleming and Brenton Rees. BAIRNSDALE - Catholic The items were donated to the that the students were involved College Sale students travelled to college from the personal collec- in at the college and wanted to the Aboriginal museum the tion of Kaye De Klepper of give the students the opportunity Keeping Place in Bairnsdale Briagolong. to learn about the items before recently to return some Year 9 teacher Colin Little, they were returned to their rightAboriginal artifacts dating back said Mrs De Klepper was aware ful owners. to the 1960’s. of the Aboriginal history studies The shields and hunting spears were the work of Peter Mongta and Albert Mullet, an elder and representative of the Gunnai Kurnai people. MAFFRA - Deputy principal of Cultural business manager at St Mary’s Primary School Jenny the Keeping Place Grattan Smart has reached the final 60 of Mullet said that it was great to the NEiTA Inspirational Teaching Awards. have the work as a part of the She was among the 12 collection at the museum. Victorian teachers selected and “These items show the continone of only four from Catholic uation of this type of work and schools. form an important part of our She has been a teacher for 25 collection” he said. years and has been at the school Mr Mullet went on to explain 15 years. that Aboriginal artwork is dated She currently teaches prep by design and he talked about where she encourages her stuthe many tools used to create dents to be risk takers and probspecific markings. lem solvers as well as encouragHe explained to the students ing them to believe in themJenny Smart about the type and texture of selves. Centred on play-based learn- connect with their local commu- timber used, which is relevant to ing concepts and co-operative nities through sports, clubs and the location the work originated from and how the artist used learning activities, she crwates a musical or dramatic pursuits. suppoortive classroom environShe also invites parental wire heated in the fire to create ment where student feel valued involvement in children’s educa- the telling marks on these tools. as individuals. tion and regularly host evenings She encourages students to to coach the parents.

Maffra teacher’s top award

KWR celebrates St Sofia

THE entrance gate to College Urbano and the Propaganda Fides archives which are situated underground at the top of the steep hill. A VISIT to Rome for the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop created an ideal opportunity for Cancellor Fr Brian O’Connor to visit Vatican acrhives to obtain copies of documents missing from the Sale Diocese collection. Armed with copies of a letter of introduction from Bishop Christopher Prowse, a certified copy of his Bachelor of Theology Degree and passport photographs, he experienced the Vatican bureaucracy at work. On presenting his documents to a Swiss Guard he was first directed to the wrong office but finally made it to the registration office where he obtained his temporasry visitor’s card to access the Vatican Secret Archives. When he finally reached the foyer of the archives office he encountered an official who spoke no English but after discussions with the receptionist it was decided that Fr O’Connor should first go to the Propaganda Fides archives to obtain some of the documents he sought, then to return to the Secret Archives. He found the Propanda Fides archives after climbing a steep hill, then following a curved driveway down into the hill where the offices were situated. Here the official was extremely helpful, bringing out doceument after document. He photocopied the petition to establish Sale Diocese which was contained in a lengthy 1885 document from the Council of Australian Bishops.

On studying at the document, Fr O’Connor realised that we would have a full copy of the book in the Bishop’s Library as Bishop (then Fr) James Corbett was secretary at the plenary meeting. Our copy has Bishop Corbett’s handwritten notes on the side of the pages. Next he obtained copies of the documents appointing Bishop Corbett as first Bishop of Sale, Bishop Patrick Phelan as the second bishop, and Pope Pius X’s appointment of Bishop Phelan. Amazingly these copies came at no cost. Next day, back at the Secret Archives, Fr O’Connor had underlined sections of Bishop Prowse’s letter showing that he sought copies of the Papal Bull’s appointing Bishops Corbett and Phelan. Staff laughed at the passport photographs taken at the Sale Post Office under new Commonwealth Government rules, then decided to take their own photos before issuing Fr O’Connor with his access card. Inside the archives, he found an English-speaking mentor among the staff who assisted him to fill out forms requesting the correct volumes and to search through them. Finally aftrer finding the documents, it was aranged that copies would be posted to him on CD-Rom. With his mission completed, Fr O’Connor then spent the next few days revisiting and photographing some of places he had visited while at the Vatican.

MEMBERS of the Sicilia Nostra folk group performing at the St Sofia Festival. KOO WEE RUP - The annual St Sofia festival was held at St John’s Koo Wee Rup on October 31. Fr Guy Riolo celebrated Italian Mass which began at 9.30am with the Friulano choir singing beautifully throughout the service. A good number of people

from near and afar attended to honor St Sofia and participate in this festival. After Mass, due to inclement weather, the event was transferred to the Koo Wee Rup Community Centre where people shared their own BYO lunch. During the course of the afternoon, the crowd was entertained

by the Bellini Band which played a selection of beautiful classical hits. The Sicilia Nostra folk group also performed. An auction of donated goods followed as people bid in earnest for asparagus and other items. This year has seen the celebration of the 37th festival.

The view of St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican apartments from the garden on the roof of Propaganda Fides.