Catholic Life February 2019

Free

Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale

February 2019

ISSUE 209

Plenary steps continue

By Sophy Morley

IT is now a year since our Diocese, together with the whole of the Australian Catholic Church embarked on the beginning of a 3-year journey towards the Plenary Council 2020.

The year has seen much movement and progress as parish communities, schools, agencies and groups have been invited and enabled to enter into the Listening and Dialogue

stage.

We have seen the grace of the Holy Spirit at work, in the respectful listening, the sharing of faith stories and the heartfelt questions and concerns that have been raised by members of our diverse and widespread Catholic community in this Diocese.

There are only four weeks to go before submissions close for the Plenary Council on Ash Wednesday.

It’s not too late to go online and make a submission, either your own personal one or on

behalf of a group. Go to http:// plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/ Every voice counts and every person’s experience matters, for without your voice, we, as Church, miss out on the opportunity to be enriched with diverse contributions from across the diocesan community.

The Diocese hosted five regional Listening and Dialogue sessions last year with Bishop Pat O’Regan, at which over 400 people attended.

The results of all of these many conversations were recorded and collated and uploaded as

five separate submissions to the Plenary Council.

Later this month, the clergy will receive a copy of the raw responses as submitted online so that parishioners can read the variety of ideas and responses that were collected.

I know that there has been great interest in what people are saying and many are wanting to know what concerns and topics were raised.

In addition, the National Centre for Pastoral Research • Continued Page 3

Seeing double at St Clare’s, Officer

This issue highlights Interim business manager named - Page 2 Earlier closure for Trinity handouts - Page 3 Knights function aids seminarians - Page 3 Sale Serra Club 40th anniversary - Page 4 Two priests ordained - Page 5 Combatting modern slavery - Page 7

FOUR sets of twins in the one Foundation class (Preps) would be extremely rare, yet that’s what has happened at St Clare’s Primary School, Officer. The twins have taken to school like a duck to water. All ready for their first day at school are (from left) Kristian and Kieran, Stephen and Mairead, Holly and Jacob, and Jett and Lucas.

Next issue is the last for Catholic Life AFTER more than 21 years, the next issue of Catholic Life will be the last.

Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan has decided to cease publication with issue 210 which comes out the week before Easter.

The decision has been forced

Trinity FAMILIES

for various reasons including the pending retirement of editor Colin Coomber who founded the paper in 1997.

Over the past 12 months revenue from advertising has no longer covered printing and distribution costs.

Another factor was the realisation that few young people read newspapers or magazines nowadays, and that their “news” comes mainly from social media which is heavily biased towards subjects in which they have previously

shown an interest.

It is planned to establish a regular electronic publication for the diocese to support the Facebook presence already established by the digital media team.

Aust. Day honor for doctor - Page 11 From diocese archives - Page 12

Be the reason someone smiles today Trinity Families needs your support to help families in our diocese to receive welfare and charitable services. Every dollar you can give helps us to fund more worthwhile programs in our region

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

Page 2 - Catholic Life, February 2019

Patience a fruit on the journey to our assembly RECENTLY I was visiting a retirement village in the Diocese and was speaking with a lady who was playing cards, the game called Patience or Solitaire.

Her delight in playing the game was obvious, so I asked her what she enjoyed most about playing it. Her immediate answer was “It teaches me how to enjoy life.”

Wonderful reply. So I dared to ask what she meant by that. Her reply went along these lines.

First, she said, it teaches me about life and the importance of being patient.

Everyone wants everything done yesterday and everyone is rushing, rushing. I’ve lived long enough to know that the good things in life are worth waiting for.

Second, it means that you can’t win every game. To some things there are no solutions, so you have to know when to admit you are beaten and start again.

Why do we have to win every time? Sure it’s nice to win, but let’s not forget the fun of playing. Playing this game reminds me about how life works and that makes me happy. Such gracious wisdom.

Toward the end of 2018 our Diocese held a series of ‘listening sessions’ as part of our continuing preparations for the coming Plenary Council.

Over 400 people attended these sessions. It was interesting to note the different nature of these sessions from the ones held

earlier in the year in each Parish.

Clearly we are slowly learning or relearning some important skills. It is clear that our people were genuinely delighted to be asked to have a voice. They were relishing the chance to be actively involved in this process.

Each comment, reaction, suggestion from these sessions was captured, and now has been complied into a document which has sought to group our responses into different categories.

While the question that sought to frame our response was, “What do you think God is saying to us in Australia at this time?” Clearly there is a lot on peoples’ hearts and minds. A copy of these responses has now been sent to each Parish, and I heartily encourage to have a read. Like me you might be amazed at the variety and depth of the responses.

Listening is easy. Hearing is harder. Working out what to do with what you have heard is more difficult. Such a process, like the playing of Solitaire requires that rather rare fruit of the Holy Spirit, patience.

Clearly what has begun dawning on people is that some of the suggestions coming through the Listening sessions can actually be done right here and now and can be implemented at Parish level.

It is heartening to see Parish Councils looking at this feedback and saying what can we do in our Parish

Catholic Life PO Box 1410, Warragul Vic. 3820 Phone: (03) 5622 6688 colinc@sale.catholic.org.au www.sale.catholic.org.au

The Diocese and

by Bishop Pat O’Regan to bring this about. It is also the case that several parishes are working with each other.

One important feature of 2019 for us as a Diocese is the coming Diocesan Assembly to be held on September 13-14.

Among the many expectations of such a gathering is to work out a process of seeing what we can do as a Diocese to respond to the many comments and suggestions coming through this process.

I invite you in your Parishes, and especially at Sunday Mass to pray for this gathering.

Ordinations ELSEWHERE in Catholic Life you will see reports of the ordination of Fr Hiep Nguyen in Sale in December, and Fr Avinash George, in Kerala, India in early January.

It was a great grace for me to be able to be present at both, and a blessing for the Diocese. Please keep these new priests and our other seminarians in your prayer.

Lent ASH Wednesday is the onMarch 6 this year. A little later thank God. I have two books set aside for Lenten

Latrobe alley Vunera FServicesl

DAVID HASTIE General Manager

Editor: Colin Coomber Deadline for advertising copy and editorial contributions for the final issue is April 4.

Issues distributed free through parishes in Holy Week and in schools in Term 2.

Published by the Catholic Diocese of Sale.

Printed by Express Print, Morwell.

Member of Australasian Catholic Press Association

Beyond

❏ Qualified, experienced and caring staff ❏ Modern chapels ❏ Refreshments and catering facilities available ❏ Secure, guaranteed, pre-paid and pre-arranged funeral plans ❏ Over 70 years of service to the Latrobe Valley MOE 5126 1111 MORWELL 5134 4937 TRARALGON 5174 2258 Proud member of the Australian Funeral Directors Association and the Australian Institutes of Embalming

JOHN GALBRAITH Consultant

MARK RIDDLE Consultant

ALLAN WORTHY Consultant

GP1464493

reading this year.

One is Australian Cistercian monk, Fr Michael Casey’s Grace: On the Journey to God, the other is Jean Vanier’s We Need Each Other. Responding to God’s Call to Live Together.

I’m looking forward to a grace-filled Lent. What are your plans? If you have not anything organised, I invite you to read along with me with these two books.

One more thing...

MOST Australian households have a fridge and a TV. I still remember the old Kelvinator we had, and the black and white TV, where you had to actually get up and turn a knob on the TV to change the channel.

It was on that TV I remember seeing the first pictures of the landing on the moon one cold Monday morning in July 1969.

While old fridges are sometimes re-purposed as ‘drinks fridges etc’ most of us have, at some time, updated our TVs and fridges to a new model. We retain their function and their convenience, yet we seek newer more efficient models to provide the services the fridge and TV provide for us.

For some time the Diocese has been working on an adequate communications policy. Asking how do we use the God-given gifts of communication to respond to the needs of the 21st Century. This will continue

to be rolled-out over the next few years.

One the decisions that has become clear is that we need a different form of our main publication, Catholic Life.

So it is with sadness that I announce that the Easter 2019 issue of Catholic Life will be the last issue in its printed form. There are many reasons for this: falling readership, falling advertising revenues among them.

More importantly we are seeking some way of more interactively communicating with the 120,000 plus Catholics in the Diocese, of which only 11,500 we see regularly engaged in Parish life. Our digital media strategy is one response to this.

Yes, it is a sadness that we have had to make this decision. These things are never easy. Yet it would be irresponsible to keep going in this way without exploring other ways by which we can communicate better.

Yes, we are losing something, no doubt about it, and Catholic Life, in this form has served us superbly well, no question, and I take this opportunity to once again thank Mr Colin Coomber for his expert dedication in making sure that Catholic Life could both reflect the life of the Diocese and his perseverance in getting slow-to-respond contributors to contribute on time.

So the new format will not be the same, and there will be growing pains. Yet we still have the fridge and the TV. God is Good. God is Good Indeed.

- Bishop Pat O’Regan Bishop of Sale

Interim business manager appointed AN interim business manager has been appointed for Sale Diocese by Bishop Pat O’Regan.

She is Rachel Ryan who is currently finance accountant for secondary schools and Catholic Education Office Sale.

She is being seconded from the Catholic Education Office to diocese staff for six months from February 25.

Rachel is a Certified Practising Accountant and has recently completed a Master of Business Administration with

Australian Catholic University.

The diocese’s former business manager Paul Velten resigned late last year to become director of finance and corporate support at Melbourne Archdiocese.

He had been with the diocese since the headquarters relocated from Sale to Sion House, Warragul.

A selection and appointment process for a permanent business manager for Sale Diocese will take place over the next few months.

Catholic Life, February 2019 - Page 3

Trinity Families applications to close in July TRINITY Families has changed the closing dates for 2019 applications from charities seeking funding.

Applications have traditionally closed at the end of August and by the time they have been analysed by the committee and by the trustees, the cheque handover function has usually taken place late November.

It is an extremely busy time of the year and so this year applications will close on July 22 and the cheque presentations to successful charities will be made at Warragul on October 29.

Trinity Families was established by the Diocese of

Sale 15 years ago and after its initial major fundraising period to create an investment fund, it has allocated annual disbursements from returns on the invested funds.

Last year’s disbursement took the amount distributed to more than $1.5 million.

Only charities with deductible gift recipient status can apply for funding of projects to aid families living within the Catholic Diocese of Sale.

Individuals cannot apply.

The Trinity Families committee tries to achieve a spread of money across all parts of the diocese and also tries to avoid its support becoming recurrent funding.

All applications are screened to check that the charities are compliant, the projects they put forward are viable and of benefit to the community.

Funds donated to Trinity Families during the year help to boost the investments and as a result mean that money is available for distribution each year.

Executive officer Colin Coomber said record low interest rates available for investments over the past few years had seriously curtailed the amount available to charities.

He urged everybody to get behind the annual appeal in May, but also to consider donating at other times.

From Page 1

Plenary steps continue at the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has compiled a summary of submissions from our Diocese to December 2018.

According to the data, there have been over 3000 people represented through 90 group submissions and just under 200 individual submissions. The largest group represented were those in 50-69 age group and the least representation from the 20-29 age group. There were more female respondents than male.

One question commonly asked is “What is going to happen to my submission to the Plenary Council?” To find out more about the data analysis, go to https://pro.catholic.org. au, select Research Projects and then Plenary Council 2020.

The next Diocesan event will be the Plenary Days in the Dioceses where our speaker is Lana Turvey-Collins, the National Plenary Council facilitator. She will be spending two days with us - with all of our clergy on March 15 and with all the Parish Plenary Teams and School Plenary contacts on March 16.

She will facilitate some formation, reflection and discussion and also provide details about the next stage of the national Plenary process which is the Listening and Discernment phase.

In the many hundreds of conversations that have been held around the Diocese during the Listening and Dialogue process, several common topics have emerged. It has become evident that many of the suggestions which have been made by people, can be initiated and implemented at a local Diocesan level.

Bishop O’Regan has announced a Diocesan Assembly to be held on September 13-14.

This Assembly, while part of the overall Plenary journey, is of vital importance as it will provide us with the opportunity to together discern and discuss what it is that we can do here and now for our local Church in the Diocese of Sale.

The Diocesan Assembly is to

Many Catholic schools within the diocese had showed great support last year and he urged those schools which had not held a fundraiser to ensure they did something in 2019.

Mr Coomber said Trinity Families was the only diocesan charity and deserved more support so that it could continue to fund charitable activities aiding families in our diocese.

“Unlike most other charities we run on a shoestring budget and get excellent value for every dollar donated. The money donated stays in our investment fund and goes on earning year after year.”

He said Trinity Families had just over $2 million invested

and yet had been able to return $1.5 million to the community.

Another way people could support Trinity Families was to make provision in their will for a bequest to be paid when their estate was finalised.

Mr Coomber said there was quite a bit of detail on the Trinity Families website www.trinityfamilies.org.au, including preferred wording to be used and a letter which could be taken to the solicitor.

Trinity Families bank details were available on the website so direct debit donations could be made, otherwise donations could be made by credit card or mail to Trinity Families, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820.

Knights fundraiser aids seminarians THE Knights of the Southern Cross will hold a fundraising dinner on March 28 to support the bursary fund for the education of Sale Diocese seminarians.

The dinner will be at the Black Tie function centre, 90 Alfred St., Warragul, 6.30 for 7pm.

The two course dinner will cost $60 and wine, beer and soft drinks will be sold at bar prices.

The event is open to all men and women who want to support this venture.

There will be a silent auction as an additional fundraiser.

More information is available from Jim Johnson 0438 931 925 or jimjohnson@dcsi.net. au, or Cathy Dougan pa@sale. catholic.org.au.

Tickets are available at the Try Booking website https:// www.trybooking.com/470438.

John Lania & Associates Professional Security Protection

• Building Security Patrols • Emergency Security Guards • Traffic Management Officers

Ph: 0411 710 924

• Alarm Response Services • Alarm Bureau Monitoring • Accredited Security Advisers

Fax (03) 5608 0544

watching@dcsi.net.au VICAR General Fr Peter Slater with the restored icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help which will tour all parishes as a lead-up to the Diocesan Assembly in September. The icon has been in his family for several generations. be facilitated by the National Bishop for his Diocese during Centre for Evangelisation and Pentecost 2018. It has been used promises to be an exciting time at several diocesan Listening in the life of the Church here in and Dialogue sessions. the Diocese of Sale.

We will commence the The Gaudium et Spes Pilgrimage at St Mary’s Diocesan Plenary Team are Cathedral Sale on February 24. at work in planning for the Each parish will host the icon Assembly. It is anticipated and candle for one week before that there will be around 400 they pass it on to the next parish delegates attending and that on the roster. parishes will be allocated After 28 weeks, the icon and a block of tickets. Further candle then return to Warragul information will be published in time for the Diocesan when other details are decided. Assembly.

As part of the preparation for During the week that your the Diocesan Assembly, we are parish hosts the icon and candle, having a Diocesan pilgrimage you are invited to involve your of the icon of Our Lady of parish and school communities Perpetual Help (the Diocese’s in prayer. patroness) and the Diocesan A resource pack of blessings Plenary Council 2020 Candle. and prayers will be sent out to A copy of this beautiful parishes. Like the World Youth icon has been loaned for the Day Journey of the Cross and pilgrimage by Vicar-General Fr Icon in 2008, it is our hope that Peter Slater. It has been in his this Pilgrimage will help us family for several generations prepare in prayer and action for and he remembers it in the the Diocesan Assembly. house of his grandparents.

For more information contact The icon and its fame have Gaudium et Spes Plenary been lovingly restored by a 2020 Convenor Sophy Morley local business. The Plenary smorley@sale.catholic.org.au Candle was presented to each 5622 6677 or 0413 590 007.

John Lania & Associates

Guardwatch Security Services Helping protect our community ABN 25 545 277 519 Member of Australian Security Industry Assoc. Ltd

Police Lic. 634 249 50S

ADVERTISEMENT

3XWWLQJ ORFDO ILUVW

3XWWLQJ ORFDOV ILUVW ORYHJLSSVODQG FRP DX

BARRY AND ANNETTE LETT

Funeral Directors

Barry and Bradley Lett offer care, compassion and service with dignity for the people of Gippsland.

Caring and personal 24-hour service.

Prepaid and prearranged funeral plans available.

67 Macarthur St., Sale 3850

(03) 5143 1232

Page 4 - Catholic Life, February 2019

Holy Smoke THE announcement that Catholic Life is coming to an end after more than 21 years will no doubt be a surprise to many.

However, it is logical move which I recommended to the Bishop some time back, given that retirement was on the horizon after almost 46 years as a journalist and editor in Gippsland.

The world has changed a lot since November 1997 when I put the first paper out.

It was one of the first free Catholic publications in Australia.

Sadly many of the diocesan newspaper and magazines have already gone the way of Catholic Life - publishing less frequently and then ceasing all together.

Part of the reason is that few businesses want to advertise in religious media any more, but even more telling is that few young people read newspapers any more.

Ask any secondary school

class for a show of hands of who gets news from a newspaper and hardly a hand goes up.

Where once there were dozens of youngsters delivering morning papers for their local newsagent to two out of three houses in every street, it is not unusual for not one paper to be delivered to some blocks.

People, young and old, are more likely to get their news from social media or electronic news sites and that is the direction the Diocese will be heading after my retirement.

We are already developing a strong following via Facebook and in a few months will be launching a new web site.

The third string in the bow is likely to be the development of an electronic newsletter but how exactly that will work is yet to be determined.

For the final issue we will recap some of the highlights of 21 years of Catholic Life.

Serra’s 40th anniversary THE Serra Club of Sale will be celebrating 40 years of service to the priests and religious of Sale Diocese at its annual sports day and dinner in April.

The event has been held on the Monday of Holy Week for the past 29 years and the club hopes to attract good attendances to its golf and bowls events on April 15.

While golf has been held for many years, last year the club also introduced a Crackerjack-style bowls day suitable for bowlers and non-bowlers alike.

The sports day is a highly-successful fundraiser and helps to promote religious vocations. A highlight is always the annual dinner afterwards where prizes are handed out to the various competitors.

The sports day is not restricted to Serrans and

clergy but is offered to everyone who wants to enjoy a good social day, at the same time raising funds for the work of Serra.

The golfers vie for three different perpetual trophies.

Priests and Serrans battle out for the right to hold the Fr Frank Carroll Shield, while the Neville McLeod Plaque is awarded for the best individual score of the day.

With introduction of clergy from other denominations there is a Catholic v Others ecumenical event for the Bishop Jeremiah Coffey Perpetual Shield which was donated by the late Bishop John McIntyre, Anglican Bishop of Gippsland.

More details on both golf and bowls events is available from Reg Carmody 5144 3349 or 0427 443 349.

A busy year for the bishop IT will be an extremely busy year for Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan with several overseas trips as well as a busy schedule with the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and our diocese’s preparation for next year’s plenary council.

He was away most of last month in India where he attended the ordination of Fr Avinash George, visited the families of some of the other Indian priests serving in our diocese, and also visited some religious congregations to discuss the possibility of some of their priests coming here.

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

The bishop is the Australian representative on the International Commission for English Language which looks after the official English translation of the liturgy and major Church documents.

He flew off last week to the Vatican for an ICEL meeting with Pope Francis and in October will attend a normal ICEL conference in Washington DC, United States.

All Australian bishops will be in Rome in June for an ad limina visit with Pope Francis and various Vatican committees.

These visits normally take place every five or six years but it has been eight years since the Australian bishops have been called.

Bishop O’Regan spent a lot of time late last year writing a detailed report for the ad limina visit, answering various questions on the state of the diocese.

He will also attend two weeklong plenary sessions of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference in May and November.

To round out the year there are various meetings involving planning for Plenary 2020,

confirmations and potentially the ordination of three new deacons.

He might even find time for some holidays at some stage.

Clergy moves have taken place FOUR clergy appointments were announced by Bishop Pat O’Regan since the previous issue of Catholic Life.

Fr Edwin Ogbuka moved from being assistant priest at Morwell to assistant in the Sale cathedral parish, replacing Fr Solomon Okeh who has moved to Morwell is a straight swap.

Fr Hiep Nguyen, who was ordained in Sale in December, took up his first appointment last week as assistant priest at Berwick.

Fr Avinash George who was ordained in India last month will become assistant at Bairnsdale this week.

Barristers & Solicitors

Professional advice and assistance in all areas of the Law.

This final testament speaks loudly of the values, causes and possessions we hold most dear. We bequest personal treasures and mementos to special friends and loved ones and ask them to care for them after our passing.

If you hold the Church dear, you may consider leaving a percentage of your estate or a specific amount to the Diocese of Sale.

The Diocese is grateful for the support of its benefactors, who have enabled the Church to grow in its service of its people, and invite you to share in this rich heritage.

Bairnsdale

Sale

Omeo

119 Main Street 5152 2661

99 Raymond Street 5144 1777

Day Avenue 5159 1323

Lakes Entrance

Orbost

383 Esplanade 5155 1286

14 Ruskin Street 5154 2010

Mallacoota

62 Maurice Avenue 5158 0077 Excellence in Service, Quality & Value Serving Gippsland for over 100 years

Catholic Life, February 2019 - Page 5

Our first Viet-born priest FR Hiep Nguyen was ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, on December 15 by Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan.

Also attending was Bishop of Bathurst Michael McKenna, who first made contact with potential sources of priests in Vietnam when he was a priest of Sale Diocese.

Fr Nguyen’s parents were able to travel from Vietnam for the ceremony but several other members of his family were unable to get permits to travel overseas.

The ordination was marked by the large number of priests and seminarians who attended, filling half the pews on the right hand side of the cathedral.

Fr Nguyen is our first Vietnamese-born priest, although Fr Tao Pham was made a deacon here but succumbed to severe illness and after several years recovering, became a priest in Melbourne.

After the ordination Fr Nguyen thanked Bishop O’Regan for fulfilling his priestly vocation and being extremely supportive during his time in the seminary.

He also thanked Bishop McKenna who had been the “bridge” to Sale Diocese and who had also walked with him on the journey.

Special thanks was given to Fr

FR Hiep Nguyen with his parents and Bishop Pat O‘Regan after his ordination.

Water Capsules 3

Cool the Earth with your effort

C BISHOP Pat O‘Regan lays the hands on the head of Fr Hiep Nguyen during his ordination at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale.

Peter Slater VG, Warragul, and the parishioners of Warragul, Drouin and Neerim South, who had welcomed him during the past year as a deacon practising his Church ministry.

“This journey is still incomplete, but it is a beginning, a new step along the way to my vocation and mission. I look

forward to working with you all to bring God’s love to others and build up his kingdom wherever we may be.”

Fr Nguyen then addressed his parents and other guests in Vietnamese.

A large congregation stayed for luncheon served at St Mary’s Primary School.

Ordained in Kerala for Sale SALE Diocese’s newest priest Fr Avinash George was ordained on January 5 in his home parish in Kerala, India.

He was ordained in the SyroMalabar Rite by the Archbishop of Tellicherry, Archbishop George Njaralakatt in a lengthy service.

From the beginning of the ordination to the end of the thanksgiving Mass celebrated by the new priest it was more than three and a half hours.

Our diocese had strong clergy representation at the ordination which included Bishop Pat O’Regan, four priests and a deacon.

Following the ordination there was an interval during which time Archbishop Njaralakatt left for an ordination elsewhere and the altar was prepared for Fr George’s first Mass.

His parents, George and Lucy are pictured offering the bread and wine in the offertory procession.

Fr George, who is wellknown for his singing at Easter liturgies in this diocese, sang most of the liturgy, moving all who attended, particularly at the time of consecration.

After Mass, during the time for speeches Bishop O’Regan gave thanks for Fr George’s decision to train for the priesthood for Sale Diocese and thanked everyone for their fine hospitality and warm friendship.

Witnessing the ordination from the Sale Diocese were the bishop, Fr Denis O’Bryan, Fr Aju Varghese CMI, Fr Siju Xavier, Fr Michael Willemsen, Deacon Stanly Devasia, Sr

reated by God (Genesis 1:10) and formed in our mother’s womb our body too has ¾ fluids and only ¼ tissue, flesh and bone.

To survive, fluids/water are absolute to our bodies. It takes 35 litres of water to make one cup of tea (from planting a tea sapling to the time it reaches your hand!). 70 litres for one apple and 170 litres for a glass of orange juice!

All these come to us from the ground / mother earth. The earth is getting too warm – thanks to the neglect of humans. But we have hope.

We can participate in the right way in our own little way in our garden/ backyard /lawn.

Insert a plastic basin in your kitchen sink: collect the water you have been using to wash the dishes and your hands; put it to a plant in your garden or just on the lawns.

Join hands with God in cooling the earth and don’t just let that precious resource go down the drain!

- Fr Xavier Pinto CSsR, Bairnsdale

ARCHBISHOP of Tellicherry George Njaralakatt and Bishop of Sale Pat O‘Regan flank the newly ordained Fr Avinash George.

Scott and Sharon Anderson With care & dignity we serve South Gippsland and Phillip Island

FR Avinash George with some of the Australian contingent at the ordination.

Faustina Ede (Sister of the North, his cousins, Prince and Nativity), Cranbourne and Nina from Our Lady Help of Matt and Jen Hanratty from Christians parish, Narre Warren the Traralgon parish. Also and seminarian, Jithin Pinto. there were Fr George’s uncle Fr George returns to the Sunni and auntie Mini, their diocese this week to take up his three children from St Thomas first appointment as assistant the Apostle parish, Clyde priest at Bairnsdale.

Main Office: WONTHAGGI/INVERLOCH 176-178 Graham Street, Wonthaggi, 3995

(03) 5672 1074 Fax: (03) 5672 1747

PHILLIP ISLAND (03) 5952 5171 15 Warley Avenue, Cowes, 3922 (by appointment only) email: enquiries@handleyandandersonfunerals.com.au Pre-paid & pre-arranged funeral plans available.

CARING & PERSONAL 24 HOUR SERVICE www.handleyandandersonfunerals.com.au MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Page 6 - Catholic Life, February 2019

OUR FAMILIES NEED YOUR HELP Times are tough for many families in our region with many suffering uncertain employment prospects. Government assistance only goes part-way to easing their burden.

What happens when a family member has special needs, requires drug, alcohol, family or relationship counselling, needs bereavement support, suicide prevention, emergency accommodation, or assistance with an at-risk adolescent?

Trinity Families has invested more than $1.5 million in funding other charities who run such projects and we could have given three times that amount if we had access to the funds.

We are appealing to all families and businesses to donate generously to boost our trust fund so that we can assist even more families.

Trinity Families only allocates funds for projects run by charities in this region, so you can be sure that your donation is giving great value to our families. Your donation goes on earning funds to distribute year after year – a gift that goes on giving!

Make a donation by visiting www.trinityfamilies.org.au Or send your cheque or credit card donations on the form below to: Trinity Families, PO Box 1410 FAMILIES WARRAGUL 3820

Trinity

You can also visit us on Facebook or Phone 5622 6688 All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sale Charitable Fund ABN 85 334 135 693

✄

Donation form: Trinity Families I/We enclose $............ towards the work of Trinity Families Please find enclosed a cheque/money order payable to the Trinity Families or debit my Visa or Mastercard.

❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ /

Expiry ............ ...............

/

/

Signature ................................................................................. Date ......... ......... .........

Name ....................................................................................................

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

Postcode............................

Please provide address so receipts can be issued

The getting of wisdom

Reflections

by Jim Quillinan

IN these months of preparation for the Plenary Council, we are seeking wisdom.

Wisdom needs both heart and head. Wisdom comes slowly, It is a subtle journey, both difficult and deep, the very antithesis of modern culture which values the obvious, the fast, the easy.

Wisdom is the result of a sustained search for understanding, the courage and a willingness to question with genuine openness, to be willing to examine the uncomfortable as well as the things that have supported us up till now.

Wisdom seeks to grow in understanding and compassion and kindness. That takes humility.

Is it any wonder that James writes; But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, it is always fair and honest, sincere. (James 3:17).

So at this time of preparation for the Plenary Council, how will we as a Church community seek to deepen its wisdom, how will it reflect on today’s thirst for something deeper, something that will touch hearts as well as minds and how will it respond?

Yes, the Church does have wisdom and insights to impart to help people in this search and to help them to become sensitive to where God is at work in their world, in their lives and the lives of others.

That is an important and grace-filled gift. But the Church does not have all the wisdom.

Any genuine search by every age, faith and culture reaches some understanding of this great mystery St Paul called ‘the fullness of God’.

Every such journey offers some insight, some part of the truth, some part of the wisdom.

In this age of pluralism, seeking and sharing understandings and wisdom from those of other faiths can be nothing but mutually enriching.

Creating safe, non judgmental supportive spaces for people to come together, to reflect and to share will demonstrate that our church is a place for all regardless of gender, sexual orientation, past histories or family circumstances? Such shared spaces give us the opportunity to pursue and perhaps reimagine our spiritual journeys and practices.

Such gatherings can help

us see ourselves more clearly through the eyes of others and we can come to see and understand others more clearly.

Sometimes fear of the unknown or suspicion of the other prevents us from reaching out. A Church that encourages dialogue within its community and with others who follow other faith journeys will show the way to a richer future.

Otherwise, as we witness in some places today, we may be tempted to reduce the world to good and evil, them and us.

Fostering communities which rid us of the notion that we are somehow superior, that what we have is better will help us to create communities to model a different way of being together.

Creating spaces which help us become sensitive to the small moments of grace which we so often overlook, which alert us to those moments of God’s action needs rituals and gatherings which enable us to touch the sacred in our lives, rituals which encourage reflection and contemplation.

Such gatherings can be a very powerful aid to our faith development. But for many, traditional rituals and liturgies that we have inherited don’t always serve the complexities of modern life.

Some feel such rituals are out of date, inflexible. For many, the language of our inherited rituals do not speak to them, some even find it alienating.

The language we choose to use is important just how we gather and who is invited.

What will our community decide to do about that?

This time of preparation offers us a time of hope. Hope is not some pious wish for a Utopian future but rather a call to re-vision what might be, what could be and begin to take concerted action to bring it about.

Hope is about confidence in our belief that God is presence and active in our world. But were do we begin? What is there to build on? What will we push for, what changes do we wish to make? The words of Pope St John Paul II provide a framework: Duc in Altum! (Put out into the deep.) The words ring out for us today and they invite us to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to look forward to the future with confidence. Novo Millennio Ineunte #1

Catholic Life, February 2019 - Page 7

CatholicCare client shares long-term experiences ONE of CatholicCare Gippsland’s long term clients agreed to share her experience as a long term client.

Mandy* came to CatholicCare looking for counselling and support at a time in her life when she felt she couldn’t provide sufficient care for her two young boys. She was worried they would be removed from her care..

Mandy or people in her life were affected by mental and physical health issues, family violence, alcohol and other drug abuse, criminal offending and significant accommodation difficulties. On top of this she experienced deaths of many people close to her over a span of twelve months and was suffering from depression and anxiety.

Mandy was struggling to cope and needed help urgently. With the help of Child Protection, one of CatholicCare’s counsellors named Kara* worked with Mandy to arrange respite care for her children, and together they ensured that Mandy was provided with all necessary support so that the boys could eventually be returned to her care.

Part of the plan involved setting up, through the court, regular respite with their father, who they had not seen since they were toddlers.

Recognising anti-slavery battle THE World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking was celebrated last Friday, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita.

She is the patron saint of victims of slavery and of Sudan. Australians are being urged to work together, through grass roots action and corporate governance, to end slavery around the world.

Peak Catholic bodies Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans, Catholic Religious Australia and Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference have joined the call to prevent slavery, protect victims, legal prosecution of perpetrators, and partnerships for change.

These organisations have applauded the many people who fought hard for a decade to see the passing in Federal Parliament of the Modern Slavery Act, which came into effect on January 1.

ACRATH’s President Sr Noelene Simmons sm said the Modern Slavery Act requires organisations with a consolidated revenue of A$100 million, or more, to report annually on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.

It is estimated that millions of women, girls, men and boys are trafficked annually into domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, pornography production, forced marriage and forced labor.

Over time one of the boys chose to live with his father and not long after that the second one followed, a Child Protection decision.

This was one of the most painful times in Mandy’s life, but she persevered.

“CatholicCare has always been a constant for me. I always knew I could call in unscheduled at a time of need for a brief word with one of the receptionists or a short chat with Kara if she was available.

No matter how I looked or felt, I never felt judged by them.”

Kara supported Mandy for several years and they formed a

strong, honest relationship.

“It doesn’t matter what phase I was going through, Kara never judged me or told me what to do. She gave me direction rather than telling me what to do. I never expected her to fix my problems, especially after she moved location and we were in contact by phone for two years.”

Mandy is doing well and finding stability in her life. She sees her boys regularly and treasures every moment with them. *Names have been changed to protect the privacy of CatholicCare clients and staff.

Qualified experienced counsellors respect the privacy of clients, whether individual

adults or children, couples and families.

Enquiries 1800 522 076.

Got a story to tell?

If something has you jumping for joy, share the news with our readers.

Call us on 5622 6688 or email your news and photos to us catholiclife@sale.catholic.org.au

INVEST WITH PURPOSE

Support your Catholic Community For more information visit www.cdfcommunityfund.org.au/terminvestment or call 1800 134 135

60

NG* TRO S S R YEA

*CDF Community Fund has evolved from the Catholic Development Fund Melbourne (formerly Schools Provident Fund), which has been serving the Catholic community since 1956.

This advertisement does not constitute financial advice. You should consider seeking advice before making investment decisions.

Disclosure Statement: Your investment with the CDF Community Fund ABN 94 380 397 118 (Fund) will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Fund is required by law to tell you that your investment with the Fund is not comparable to those with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund has been granted certain exemptions by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Under these exemptions, the Fund is required by law to tell you: • The Fund is not prudentially supervised by APRA. Therefore, an investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959. Investments in the Fund are intended to be a means for investors to support the charitable purposes of the Fund.

• Investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act 2001 or regulation by ASIC. • Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund.

• The Fund has an identification statement which contains information about the Fund which may be viewed at www.cdfcommunityfund.org.au/ aboutus.

• The Fund does not operate under an Australian Financial Services Licence. The Fund has entered into an intermediary authorisation with an Australian financial services licensee, CDFCF AFSL Limited ABN 49 622 976 747, AFSL No. 504202 which has an authorisation to issue and deal in debentures which will enable the Fund to rely upon the licensing exemption contained in section 911A(2)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001.

The Fund is required by law to tell you that you may be unable to get your money back. However, CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Fund against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Page 8 - Catholic Life, February 2019

Give generously to Project Compassion Clean water gives hope LIFE in her village in northwestern Zimbabwe, wasn’t easy for 12 year old Thandolwayo.

Every morning she’d walk 7km and risk being attacked by crocodiles as she collected clean water for her grandparents and family.

Exhausted from hours fetching and carrying water, she’d then start her day at school.

Thandolwayo’s hope to be a nurse seemed almost impossible to realise, until Caritas Hwange helped the village install a solar-powered water system.

It’s bringing new opportunities, new hope – and a chance for Thandolwayo to concentrate on her education and her future.

Thandolwayo lives with her grandparents and other members of her family in a village of 500 people in the Hwange district of northwestern Zimbabwe.

Her father left several years ago and her mother lives in a town 90km away where she works as a casual laborer. Her older sister also moved away to attend secondary school.

Thandolwayo attends the local school which has just 35 students and two teachers.

Thandolwayo’s grandparents make a living by selling pearl millet bran to fishermen and farmers for animal feed. They also sell chickens - but the income it brings isn’t enough to support the family.

Around 72 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is living below the poverty line.

Thandolwayo’s community is also plagued by ongoing droughts, food and water scarcity and poor sanitation.

Every morning before school,

Cranbourne hosts launch THE Sale Diocese launch of Project Compassion will take place on Shrove Tuesday, March 5, at St Peter’s College’s west campus, 1005 FrankstonCranbourne Rd., Cranbourne.

The event will start at 11.30am but those attending are asked to arrive in time to be processed to allow entry to the school.

After a welcome by the principal and student leader, there will be a talk from a Caritas representative on this year’s appeal, and a prayer service led by Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan.

Traditional pancakes will be served by students following the event.

Appeal also helps Aboriginal program Thandolwayo used to walk 3.5km with the other women and girls to the Gwayi River and back again. Carrying a 5 litre container, she would traverse a rocky, mountainous path to collect water for her family and her teacher.

“Then when we got to the river, we were afraid of being attacked by crocodiles,” Thandolwayo says. “I went to school tired after collecting water and my performance at school was low.”

In 2017, Caritas Australia partnered with Caritas Hwange to help the community to install two solar-powered pumps to draw the water up from the river, as well as two 10,000 litre storage tanks.

Community participation in the project was overwhelming.

Both men and women helped by digging and carrying stones, and water tanks. Thandolwayo’s grandmother also joined other villagers in participating in Caritas assisted training in health and hygiene skills.

Thanks to Caritas’ support, water is now on tap in the

village - benefitting the whole community.

“Life has really changed as a result of the tap because now I can bathe every day,” says Thandolwayo. “We can wash our plates and clothes regularly.

I now go to school feeling fresh.

The distance to collect water for the family has been drastically reduced. We now drink clean, safe water and diseases are no longer affecting us”. Village health workers say that waterborne diseases have halved, and people in the village are living longer.

There is also a new feeling of hope and positive change in the village. The plentiful water supply has triggered a series of new ventures. Water is being used to mould bricks for building houses and to pound maize to sell. Plans are underway to establish a community garden and a fish pond, to generate an income to assist with school fees.

Your donation can help to transform the lives of children like Thandolwayo.

TWENTY-one year old Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise for people with chronic illnesses at The Purple House in Alice Springs.

Featured in Project Compassion 2014, the First Australian-run Wellbeing Program, uses its profits to connect and care for dialysis patients who are far from home.

As a Purple House trainee, Michaela completed a

Lives change when we all give 100% PLEASE DONATE TODAY 1800 024 413 lent.caritas.org.au #projectcompassion

Certificate IV in business management. She was also recently promoted from administration trainee to permanent employee, working on The Wellbeing Program.

The young Alywarr woman cares for patients as they receive dialysis and helps them to feel at home and remain hopeful during treatment. Patients in turn pass on traditional knowledge to Michaela.

The program is run by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Caritas Australia.

First Australians are twice as likely to experience chronic kidney disease, and four times more likely to die from it than other Australians.

With the help of staff like Michaela, the Aboriginalcontrolled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture.

They do this through traditional healing practices and incomegenerating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps.

Profits are invested back into supporting patients receiving remote care and help to get people on dialysis back on country.

In addition to completing her studies, Michaela has obtained a driver’s licence, is building her leadership skills running workshops solo. means having “Hope something to look forward to,” Michaela says. “I enjoy building relationships with the patients and learning from them. If we keep our culture alive we can feel strong.”

Catholic Life, February 2019 - Page 9

Your Guide to What’s On & When MARCH 5 – Shrove Tuesday 6 – Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent 8 – St John of God 10 – Rite of Election, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale 11 – Labor Day holiday 17 – St Patrick’s Day 19 – St Joseph the Spouse 24-31 - Emmaus Walking Retreat, San Remo to Welshpool 25 – Annunciation of the Lord 27 - Catholic Life published

APRIL 4 - Catholic Life deadline 6 – School holidays begin 11-14 – Farm World, Lardner Park 14 – Palm Sunday 15 – Serra Golf and Bowls Day, Sale 15 – Final Catholic Life published 16 – Mass of the Oils, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale 18 – Holy Thursday 19 – Good Friday 20 – Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil 21 – Easter Sunday 22 – Easter Monday public holiday 23 – Term two begins 25 – Anzac Day 26 – St Mary, evangelist

26-27 – East Gippsland Field Days, Bairnsdale 28 – Divine Mercy Sunday 29 – St Catherine of Siena

MAY Parish appeal for Trinity Families 1 – St Joseph the Worker 13 – Our Lady of Fatima 24 – Our Lady Help of Christians 31 – Visitation of the BVM

JUNE Australian Bishops in Rome for Ad Limina visit with Pope and Vatican curia 2 – The Ascension of the Lord 6 – St Marcellin Champagnat 9 – Pentecost Sunday 10 – Queen’s Birthday public holiday 16 – The Holy Trinity 24 – Nativity of St John the Baptist 28 – Sacred Heart of Jesus 29 - Sts Peter and Paul 29 – School holidays begin

JULY 3 – St Thomas the Apostle 11 – St Benedict 15 – Term three begins 22 – Closing date for applications for funding from Trinity Families

22 – St Mary Magdalene 25 - St James

AUGUST 6 – Transfiguration of the Lord 8 – St Mary of the Cross (Mary MacKillop) 15 – Assumption of the BVM 22 – Queenship of Mary 28 – St Augustine

SEPTEMBER 13-14 – Diocesan assembly, Marist Sion College, Warragul 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross 21 – School holidays begin 21 – St Matthew 23 – St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) 27 – St Vincent de Paul

OCTOBER 1 – St Therese of the Child Jesus (Therese of Lisieux) 4 – St Francis of Assisi 7 – Our Lady of the Rosary 7 – Term four begins 11 – St John XXIII 12 – Caulfield Guineas 18 – St Luke 19 – Caulfield Cup 22 – St John Paul II

Credit traps for the unwary THERE’S another financial inquiry currently being conducted that’s not getting the same headlines as the Haines Royal Commission, but is addressing an area that’s one of the fastest growing parts of the credit market, and that’s the Senate inquiry into Pay Day lenders and easy “Buy Now, Pay Later Credit” companies.

You may have heard of Nimble and AfterPay Touch and Zip Money (or Zip Pay – they’re the same company), but there are a dozen or more others such as Certegy Ezy Pay, Open Pay, Make it Mine, Lombard are just some of them.

This article is not about pay day lenders such as Nimble, which are companies that offer high cost, high interest short term loans to people who are financially stretched and need money in a hurry.

Unfortunately, if you need money that desperately then it’s quite likely that borrowing under these terms will just make things worse.

I’m talking about the offers that allow you to take home today – and have tomorrow to pay. The easy buy offers that may take the place of credit card purchases. They all make things sound easy and want you to feel that they’re helping you, but since money was first invented, there’s no such thing as free money.

They all work on one or two similar bases. They offer an agreed amount for a nominated purchase and a fixed repayment plan or they offer an amount of credit that the borrower is free to use at a participating

merchant.

AfterPay allows a term of four fortnightly payments, Zip Pay similar and Zip Money allows up to 10 monthly payments.

Certegy may offer two year interest free on larger purchases (over $5000) or 12 months on smaller purchases.

They all offer “Interest free” terms but nearly all have built in fees and charges that still cost the borrower a great deal over the term of the credit. They’re definitely not free and in some cases it may well be that a bank loan or even a credit card may be a better facility.

Most, if not all, of these providers will charge the merchant, so the cost is usually built in. On a $3000 mower, Certegy may charge the merchant as much as $450 – that could be how much you’d save by paying cash.

Other credit providers charge similarly but the fees vary according to volume, so Bunnings would be charged less than your locally owned hardware store.

Some credit providers charge establishment fees – Certegy $39 - $90 and some have annual fees of about $100.

They also charge monthly fees and account fees of around $6 and some even have a monthly account fee and a payment processing fee as well. You may get easy money, but it costs you to pay it back.

As an example, with a $500 purchase on Zip Money, there will be no interest and maybe three (sometime promotionally six) months interest free.

Zip require a minimum

Email your events to catholiclife@sale.catholic.org.au or phone 5622 6688

monthly payment of $40 and will charge a $6 fee to process that, so if you stick to the minimum payment, you will pay down $34. After three months, by which time you will still owe $398, Zip will start charging you interest at 19.9 percent. Some lenders charge up to 29.9 percent!

To pay it down at the minimum amount it could take you a further 16 months and cost approximately an extra $128 in fees and interest! That’s not free money by any means.

AfterPay charges late payment fees of $10 each late payment and a further $7 per week until paid on each payment – and you have four of these! In fact, late fees and charges made up more than 20 percent of AfterPay’s revenue of $24.97 Million of revenue in 2017.

Zip on the other hand, late fees and charges made up only a tenth of that proportion. The same goes for other similar credit providers.

So how do you use them?

Carefully for a start. You are borrowing money which has to be paid back, and any defaults will appear on your credit record, maybe preventing you from getting a mortgage in the future.

It’s not free money so unless you need the item immediately, it’s better to save the money to buy it in the first place.

I know people who have a special “save to spend” bank account, and never use a credit card that isn’t paid off each month. People are moving from using credit cards to

NOVEMBER 1 – All Saints 2 – All Souls 5 – Melbourne Cup public holiday 14 – St Laurence O’Toole 21 – Presentation of the BVM 24 – Christ the King 30 – St Andrew

DECEMBER 1 – Advent begins 3 – St Francis Xavier 6 – St Nicholas 9 – Immaculate conception 20 – School holidays begin 25 – Christmas Day 26 – Boxing Day 28 – Holy Innocents 29 – The Holy Family 31 – New Year’s Eve NOTE: Dates, times and venues may change without notice being given to Catholic Life to make amendments.

School holiday dates can vary from school to school depending on teacher in-service and other student-free days etc.

Major sporting events, local agricultural shows and festivals are included so clashes can be avoided when planning parish or school events.

Dollars

and $ense

by David Wells these “revolving credit” style cards but the problems will still persist.

At least, by using these and if only paying the minimum amount the loan will still be expensive, but paid out much, much sooner than by using a standard bank issue credit card.

There is good debt and bad

debt, and this isn’t in the good debt category.

• This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and Shaw and Partners 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.

Investments made simple.

Personal advice Unrivalled experience Buy and sell shares, portfolio managememt Investment research and daily market information Investment advice for self managed super funds For all your investment needs please contact: David Wells W , Senior Investment Adviser on 03 9268 1157 or toll free 1800 150 009 or dwells@shawandpartners.com.au

Page 10 - Catholic Life, February 2019

For the Young and Young at Heart A MAN has had a few too many to drink and stayed at the hotel far too late.

As he is walking unsteadily along the footpath at 2am, a passing police car stops and the policeman asked “What are you doing out here at 2am?”

“I’m going to a lecture,” replies the man.

“Who is going to give a lecture at this time of the morning?” queries the policeman.

“My wife!”

A young boy was saving up buy a bike and prayed to God every day for two weeks to send him $100.

When nothing eventuated, he decided to write a letter to God. The postal clerk in the mail centre was amused to see a letter addressed to God and decided to forward it on to the Prime Minister.

When the PM received the letter he was impressed by the plea and asked his secretary to send the young boy $5.

When the money arrived the boy was delighted and sat down to write a thank you note which read “Dear God, thank you for the money you sent, however, for some reason you sent it through Canberra and as usual they deducted $95 in tax.”

THREE boys are bragging in a schoolyard about how fast they fathers were.

The first said his father was faster than an arrow. “He can fire an arrow and then race to the target and get there before the arrow hits!”

The second said his father was even faster. “He can fire a bullet from his gun and be there before the bullet!”

The thirds said those efforts were poor compared to the speed of his father.

“He knocks off work at 5pm but is so fast he is always home at 4.15!”

well lately.

The doctor conducts a full examination, then shuffles through his drawer and brings out three bottles of pills.

“I want you to take the red pill first thing in the morning with a big glass of water, the yellow pill at lunchtime with two glasses of water, and the blue pill after dinner with another two glasses of water.”

The patient asks “What exactly in my problem, Doc? That’s a lot of tablets.”

The doctor replies “You are not drinking enough water.”

Colour these mighty dinosaurs

TWO elderly couples are enjoying friendly conversation when none of the men asks the other “Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last week?”

“Outstanding,” Fred replied. “They taught us all the latest psychological techniques, visualisation, and word association. It has made a huge difference for me.”

“That’s great. What’s the name of the clinic?”

Fred goes blank. He thinks but can’t remember. Then a smile breaks across his face and he asks “What do you call that red flower with the long stem and thorns?”

“You mean a rose?”

“Yes that’s it.” He turns to his wife and says “Rose, what was the name of that clinic?”

A MAN dies and ends up at the Pearly Gates where St Peter looks in a large book and announces “You haven’t done anything in your life to make you worthy of entry to Heaven.”

The man replies “What about when I came to the defence of the old man who was being taunted by a bikie gang?”

St Peter checks the book and says “There’s nothing here about that. What did you do?”

A PRISONER spent “I knocked over a couple months digging a tunnel from of their motorbikes and told the gaol to a neighbourhood them to pick on someone park about a block away. their own size.”

When he finally broke “Really?” says St Peter. through, he found himself in “And when was this?” the middle of a playground.

“About 10 minutes ago!”

“I’m free! I’m free!” he shouted as he climbed out of A WOMAN shows off her the hole. new top of the line hearing “That’s nothing,” said a aid to a friend. little girl sitting on the swing.

She says “It cost me just “I’m four!” over $10,000 but it gives me perfect hearing.”

ONE afternoon a man goes “Wow! What type is it?” to the doctor and explains the friend asks. that he hasn’t been feeling “It’s almost 10.30!”

DID you know we have dinosaur remains in Gippsland? Next school holidays you might like to visit the dinosaur centre in Inverloch to see dinosaur fossils and go on an excursion to the nearby dinosaur dig site to see a dinosaur footprint. Afterwards you can crack open some rocks to look for fossils. We visited recently and enjoyed the experience.

Find all these body parts ARM BLADDER BRAIN CHEST ELBOW FINGERS FOOT HEAD HEART KIDNEY KNEE LEG LIVER LUNGS NOSTRILS PELVIS SPINE SPLEEN TOES

Catholic Life, February 2019 - Page 11

New Missal app approved for use

An Australia Day honor for Leongatha doctor

By Michael Sidors

A NEW Missal app tailored for Australian congregations, including local readings and responses, has been released for Android devices The Missal App has readings for Australia Day and ANZAC Day and, after being tested in Australia for five years, has been approved for use by the Australian Bishops Commission for Liturgy.

The Missal App allows a book (more than 3000 pages) to be stored on your device for easy access, even without Internet availability.

The app was designed in the Blue Mountains by two selftaught computer programmers, James McLoughlin and Samantha Day. It has been released by the Masso Foundation, named after Mgr John Masso, a Spanish-born Opus Dei priest who served in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands from 1967 until his unexpected death in Spain in 2003. The foundation supports a range of formative, educational and outreach activities, in particular those inspired by Opus Dei. David Bolton of the Masso Foundation said that he hopes

The Missal App will help Australian Catholics get the most out of Mass and that the foundation was grateful for the generous donation of the royalties for the sale of The Missal App. The Missal App uses smart selection by accessing the calendar on the Android tablet or mobile phone to automatically select the correct prayers and readings for the day and provides multiple options where there is more than one feast for that day.

It even switches on a Saturday afternoon for the Vigil Sunday Mass and includes other celebrations such as Nuptial Masses, votive Masses and Masses for the dead.

It is available for use on Android devices from the Google Play store for $4.99.

DOCTOR Michael Bourke of Leongatha received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) during the Australia Day honors for his service to medicine.

The original, founding member of Leongatha Healthcare (previously Leongatha Medical Group), Dr Bourke is the only living member remaining; Dr Alec Bennett, Dr Mario Croatto and Dr Ron Eagger being the original partners.

Dr Bourke retired from practice in 2002 but continued sporadically as locum tenens for other regional doctors and in Ireland from 2004-6, in three month stints.

It all began on July 1, 1964, when Dr Bourke and his wife Thérèse moved to Leongatha.

Dr Croatto also relocated at the same time and both setup practice as partners, eventually forming Leongatha Medical Group where Dr Bourke was the longest serving partner for 46 years.

Dr Bourke was also a regional geriatrician, conducting nursing home visits one day per week.

Prior to relocation, he

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

While making the request one must either promise to publish on granting the favor or promise to circulate copies of it to as many people as possible.

This is to spread the wonder of the Holy Spirit.

READERS please note that published prayers reflect the beliefs of those who place the advertisements. We ask readers to judge for themselves, especially in regards to suggested fulfilment of requests made in these prayers.

prayer

public notices

St Jude NOVENA. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved, adored, glorified and made renowned throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us, Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us. Thanks St Jude for prayers answered.

Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days. By the eighth day your prayers will be answered.

It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised.

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

If so please contact

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

wanted known

Your will be done

Dr Michael Bourke OAM graduated from The University of Melbourne in 1960, married in 1962 and went to work at St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy.

To be considered for Australia Day honors, one must have demonstrable excellence in their particular endeavors. They must have impacted a particular community, field of profession or touched humanity at large in their life’s work.

“I didn’t expect this nomination and it never occurred to even think of such a thing,” Dr Bourke said.

“Without the support of my wife Thérèse I just wouldn’t have coped. She was an enormous support whilst working long hours and performing home visits.

“She looked after our five children whilst I was away, sometimes on call until 11pm.”

Dr Bourke’s accolades and dedication toward his profession and the community at large were recognised, alongside many others, including life governor of both the Leongatha Hospital and Woorayl Lodge, life member of the Stony Creek Racing Club committee and vice chair of the Mary MacKillop Parents and Friends Association.

He’s a country boy at heart and loves the rolling hills of

Gippsland.

Originally growing up in Pakenham, he rode his pony to school along the main street in those nostalgic times.

“In Leongatha life revolved around the dairy farmers when we moved here. Thursday’s market day was a day you wouldn’t want to take off,” Dr Bourke recalled.

“I originally met the local bank manager from a home visit to a lady from National Bank.

She’d just arrived to town with all sick children, staying at the bank residence.

“The personal contact in those days was different, it’s all changed now.”

The Woorayl and District Memorial Hospital was about four years old when he arrived, and was a great hospital service according to Dr Bourke.

But you couldn’t just send an ambulance out at night; most of the drivers were volunteers.

Nominations for Australia Day honors are assessed in Canberra. Recommendations are made to the GovernorGeneral.

• Story and photograph reprinted with permission from The Great Southern Star newspaper, Leongatha.

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

- St Teresa of Kolkata

Trinity Families asks you to consider assisting our work in funding charitable projects across the diocese.

Remembering Trinity Families in your will by making a bequest is an effective way of ensuring that you do something to help those struggling families in our midst.

If you need more information on bequests contact: PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 Ph: 56 22 6688

Col & Pal Semmens FUNERAL DIRECTORS

~Servicing Gippsland~ Maffra 5147 1954 Sale 5144 1954 Heyfield 5148 3354

ABN 85 334 135 693 Brad

Pal

Col

Our Family Caring For Your Family With 25 Years Experience

Page 12 - Catholic Life, February 2019

Archives continue to grow with generous gifts THE archives of the Diocese of Sale is an active and growing collection.

Documents previously held at Sale were all been relocated to Sion House, Warragul, last year following the appointment of archivist Annie Pawley.

The collection of material has continued to grow with many donations of photographs documents, Mass booklets, newspaper clippings, digital photographs and sound recordings.

Many of the items have come from family collections.

The diocese is appreciative of the generosity of donors.

As documents and photographs are processed from the various collections within the diocese, a more informative history of the parishes and the people is being constructed.

The archivist can be contacted on 5614 5114 or by email at anniep@sale.catholic.org.au.

THIS archive photograph features the Daly family on the ordination day in Sale of Fr Noel Daly (front, third from left) who went on to be Bishop of Sandhurst. His four older brothers Frank, Bill, Vin and Leo became Marist Brothers. A sister Margaret became a Sister of St Joseph and another sister Sheila spent time with the Mercy Sisters but did not continue the vocation.

Global best selling Bible turns 40 THE pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its children’s Bible, God Speaks to His Children.

Since its release, more than 51 million copies have been distributed across the globe in 189 languages.

Executive president of ACN, Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern said “It is beyond human understanding just how many children as well as adults have opened themselves to God through the children’s Bible.

He pointed out that for many families living in the world’s

OSB priest leaves for monastery FR Hilarion Fernando OSB has left Sale Diocese to serve in the Sylvestrian Benedict Monastery at Arcadia, NSW. He came to our diocese from Sri Lanka in 2012 on temporary release from his order.

He has served in Maffra, Iona, Koo Wee Rup and more recently Berwick.

poorest regions, the children’s Bible is the only book that they will ever own.

“The letters we have received over the past 40 years, in which children, families, bishops and pastoral workers have expressed their thanks for the children’s Bible, bear witness to the deep longing for God that this book continues to relieve today.

Divided into 99 short chapters, God Speaks to His Children retells the most important texts of the Old and New Testament in a way that is easy for children to understand.

The stories in the current

1 in 9 seminarians are supported by Aid to the Church in Need.

Your offering helps us to continue training God’s servants.

ACNLMcathLF0219

Poverty, war or persecution shouldn’t stop vocations...

Photo © ACN International

To support the training of future priests, Please accept my: (tick an option) monthly offering of

$

OR

single offering of

$

Enclosed is a cheque/money order payable to ACN Australia OR please debit my Visa/Mastercard:

Expiry date: ____ / ____

AN interesting photograph, about 1909, of the Our Lady of Sion school at Bairnsdale, one of three Sion schools in the diocese.

Offerings of $25 or more receive a set of Lourdes rosary beads blessed

by Pope Francis.

Signature: _____________________

Yes, I would like to receive the Lourdes rosary beads

Call us to support the training of future priests:

Name: ________________________________________________

1800 101 201

Address: _______________________________________________ Suburb: ________________ State: ________ Postcode: _________ Date of Birth: ________________ Ph: ________________________ Email: _________________________________________________ Please return to: ACN Australia PO Box 335 Penrith NSW 2751

Or donate online:

www.aidtochurch.org/LF

edition of the children’s Bible were written by German theologian Eleonore Beck and brightly illustrated by the Spanish religious sister MirenSorne Gomez. The illustrations have become popular in religious instruction and catechesis.

The “father” of the children’s Bible was the Dutch Norbetine, Fr Werenfried van Straaten, the founder of ACN. When the United Nations proclaimed 1979 as the “Year of the Child”, this became the impetus for the realisation of a long-cherished idea of Fr van Straaten.

He wrote at the time: “Children need something like a children’s Bible so that the image of Christ will become a living one in their hearts.

The Church often does not have the means to acquire a children’s Bible written in the native language. Or the Church is being persecuted and is not allowed to publish literature of this kind. Many children are so poor that they cannot afford to buy a book. And so we would

like to give them the Bible as a gift.”

ACN presented the children’s Bible at the Conference of the Latin American Bishops that took place in late January 1979 in Puebla, Mexico, and was also attended by Pope John Paul II on his first foreign tour.

The response was overwhelming: the bishops immediately ordered 1.2 million copies in Spanish.

As soon as missionaries, bishops and catechists from other countries learned of its existence, additional translations became necessary.

Today, the Bible is available in 189 languages, from Afar, which is spoken by around 1.5 million people of the same name in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti, to isiZulu, a Bantu language spoken in southern Africa.

Aid to the Church in Need continues to provide children’s Bibles to the world’s poorest children. You can support this project by donating at the www. aidtochurch.org/childsbible.

A new diocesan website soon THE Diocesan Digital Media team is currently working on designing and building a new website for the Diocese.

The team are working with Narre Warren based digital media strategists Zeemo to create a more dynamic website than the current site which is now dated in terms of its functions and look.

The goals for the project include every parish having to its own webpage and to provide searchable listing of Mass times across the Diocese.

The website will feature a news section with stories and videos from around the Diocese and an e-newsletter is also being considered as a way of delivering the ‘what is going on?’ to Catholics throughout the Diocese.

A secondary feature will be an events calendar which parishes and local church organisations will be able to use to publicise

their major events.

The project is progressing well with the new website to be ‘live’ by midyear.

The Diocese has already established a social media presence with a Facebook page www.facebook.com/ dioceseofsale and an Instagram account @dioceseofsale.

Photos and information is already being posted to these accounts and people are encouraged to ‘like’ and follow the Diocese to access news via this medium until the website is complete.

A review of the Diocesan ‘brand’ is to be completed with the Diocesan logo likely to be overhauled later in 2019.

For more information contact the Digital Media team via email newsonline@sale. catholic.org.au or phone digital media manager Liz Roberts on 5622 6673 (Wednesday, Friday).