Catholic Life
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Publication of the Diocese Diocese of of Sale Sale
What’s News
Crazy hair for Mission fundraiser - Page 3
ISSUE 145100 ISSUE
November 2010 November
Priestly ordination this month - Page 7
MacKillop canonisation feature - Pages 9-12
Cathedral restoration plan Up $1 million sought By Colin Coomber
A MAJOR appeal has been launched to raise up to $1 million towards the cost of restoring and enhancing the historic St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. Bishop of Sale, Bishop Christopher Prowse launched the appeal at a function at the cathedral last evening. The function was a triple launch, as it also combined the public release of the cathedral master plan and the launch of a cathedral history book written by Sale historian Peter Synan. Bishop Prowse announced his intention to renovate the cathedral when he confirmed it would retain its role as mother Church of the Diocese of Sale, even though the administrative headquarters would be transferring to Warragul in about 12 months time. A project team headed by St Mary’s administrator Fr Bernard Buckley has been working with Gippsland design and construction engineering firm Gamcorp to assess what needs to be done to preserve and enhance the cathedral which is classified by the National Trust as a place of heritage significance. Detailed inspections were carried out to the structure and its surrounds to identify all significant works required to be undertaken both internally and externally. Consideration was given to removing the cement rendering, which was used to cover the original red brick building in the early 1900s, as a way of overcoming debonding and cracking of the render which is particularly evident on the south wall facing the Princes Highway. However, it has been decided to repair the defective areas with an improved modern bonding agent and to repaint the cathedral in traditional heritage colors to highlight the window tracery
and distinctive buttresses. Inspections also revealed that the cathedral’s footings were satisfactory as no cracking was evident above doors and windows. Problems with rising dampness in the wall cavities were found to be more evident in areas where wall vents had been blocked, particularly in the western wall of the sanctuary. These will be reopened or replaced to achieve better air flow. The external paving was found to be in good condition but it needed to be sealed to the building to prevent moisture penetrating the foundations. A high water table at the western end of the cathedral needs to be further investigated and it is possible that agricultural drainage pipes need to be installed to draw water away from the foundations. A section of bituminous membrane on a flat roof section had deteriorated badly and it has been recommended that it be replaced by steel deck, wide box gutters and effective drainage sumps to prevent water from entering the ceiling cavity. The shingle roof was found to be generally in good condition but broken and loose shingles will have to be repaired. A permanent roof access ladder will be constructed at the western end of the cathedral to meet occupational health and safety standards for workmen carrying out maintenance and servicing of equipment. The external facade of the annexe, the most modern part of the cathedral complex, was found to need repair to prevent further deterioration, and the roof over the toilet area will need to be replaced to prevent water further damaging the interior render. Internal inspection revealed that significant debonding of the render had occurred on all walls, particularly at the western end • Continued Page 2
AFTER more than a century, the cracks are starting to show in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, and the appeal will fund the works to restore the building as the Mother Church of the diocese.
PEELING paint and flaking cement render reveal that all is not well with the cathedral which is classified by the National Trust.
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 2 - Catholic Life, November 2010
To God’s people in the Catholic Diocese of Sale FROM ancient times, Catholics have always prayed for those who have died. It is especially during this month of November that we pray for the Holy Souls. Our teaching is succinctly summarised in our Catechism :“From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” (CCC. 1032) We will naturally pray for our family and friends who have died. For so many, the pain of grief is strong and a daily trial we endure. But let us also pray for those who have no one to pray for them in their death – especially during November. Over the years as a priest, I can recall often how the dying, as a final request, will ask of me to pray for them in their death. We recall the beautiful petition of the dying St. Monica to her sons, St Augustine and his brother, “Put this body anywhere! Don’t trouble yourselves about it! I simply ask you to remember me at the Lord’s altar wherever you are”. (Confessions 9, 11, 27) So let us fulfil these final requests for intercessory prayers for the dead with increased fervour during
May the faithful departed Rest in Peace November. Also, praying for the dead helps us prepare for our own death. Only our loving and merciful God knows the time and day. A timeless wisdom is to live every day as if it is our last. I recall years ago waiting at a cemetery for the hearse to arrive so I could begin the Prayers of Committal for a deceased parishioner. While waiting with several others, one of the Italian mourners gestured me to follow him. He took me to a gravesite nearby. It was beautifully built but not yet occupied. My parishioner asked me to bless the new grave. I asked him for whom was the grave built. He indicated that it was for him. I said “Mario, I have blessed many graves before, but this is the first time when the body is outside and not inside the tomb!” I have often thought of Mario’s tomb. I am sure he was a man at peace with himself and God. He was ready for death at the time of the Lord’s choosing. Surely this is a sign of great maturity of faith. May we too be likewise ready for
Catenian group forms THE Catenian Association is forming a group in Narre Warren with a view to establishing an active Circle if growth eventuates. The group will meet monthly on the second Wednesday at 7pm in the Fountain Gate Hotel, Narre Warren, for a brief meeting followed by a meal and fellowship. The inaugural chairman is Con Lilley, a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren, who can be contacted on 8794 9513. The Catenians are a Catholic Men’s Organisation which is primarily social and has been in
Australia for 40 years with growth in the Melbourne Archdiocese for the last 30. It concentrates on faith, family, friendship and fun and also involves the wives and families of members at functions throughout the year. Interested gentlemen are invited to attend meetings without obligation provided they give at least four days notice. The group will be known as Casey Catenians since they will include Catholics from Berwick, Cranbourne, Endeavour Hills, Hampton Park Doveton and Dandenong.
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, November 29. Issues distributed free through schools and parishes from December 8.
death so we can live our present lives to the full. “May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen”
On another matter,
We are all still reflecting on the canonisation of our new and first Australian saint, ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP. Many of us have just returned recently from attending her Canonisation Mass in Rome on October 17, 2010). Like many others who attended the Mass, nothing could prepare us for the joy of this historic occasion. To walk into St. Peter’s Square, Rome, and see the portrait of our own Mary MacKillop displayed from the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica is a memory I will treasure forever. For the first time in the 2000 history of the Catholic Church an Australian was canonised a saint! It gives us great hope and joy. Saintly holiness has come from our own Australian soil!
Let us imitate St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She was noted for her holiness and kindness. In response to the grace of God, let us all do the same. Especially in this month when we celebrate her canonisation in the Diocese of Sale and in Victoria, we pray: ST MARY OF THE CROSS, PRAY FOR US ! + Bishop Christopher Prowse DD Catholic Bishop of Sale
• From Page 1
Cathedral restoration plan which had previously experienced significant repairs. The south wall had areas of debonded render, particularly at the eastern end at about 1.8m height which if not repaired quickly could lead to sections falling from the wall. The ceiling in the annexe shows signs of water damage and it is possible that irregularities in sections of the floor at the eastern end have been also caused by these leaks. It has been decided to upgrade the toilets and extend the kitchen
area to make it comply with modern standards. Provision has also been made to replace light fittings with modern low energy fixtures and improving the central heating system. The bishop is also keen to purchase new vestments for the cathedral, new chalices and other vessels, and will be seeking
donations of such items. Parishioners across the whole diocese are being asked to be generous in supporting the cathedral appeal, similar to the way previous generations have funded the construction and development of the cathedral. Envelopes in which donations can be made will be available in all parishes.
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IN THE male toilets, the cement render has fallen off, exposing the red bricks from which the cathedral is constructed.
I do not fear tomorrow, for I have seen today
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 3
$2 million planning levy hampers Pakenham campus A STATE Government planning oversight has created a $2 million impost on a proposed new Pakenham campus of St Francis Xavier College. The charge is the result of an error in development of the Precinct Structure Plan for the Grandvue Estate, on Princes Highway, opposite Cardinia Rd. When the plan was drawn, a 12ha site on the estate intended for primary and secondary schoosl for nearly 2000 children faced development charges at the same rate as housing. St Francis Xavier College, principal Paul Desmond is quoted by Leader newspapers saying that the government had since realised its mistake, but was stonewalling on making changes. “This is grossly unfair. We made a submission to the government when it was first assessing charges for the estate - and our site - but were not given a hearing. The result is we have been assessed as housing and as a result, also have to pay a community facilities contribution, which is ridiculous as we are clearly a community facility ourselves,” Mr Desmond said. “No other school on any other estate in Victoria is being treated
Are you a MacKillop winner? WE had a flood of entries for our various competitions conducted in association with the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. To be eligible to go into the draw for a MacKillop stamp pack courtesy of Australia Post or a DVD Mary: The Mary MacKillop Story courtesy of Roadshow Entertainment, readers had to nominate Alexander as Mary MacKillop’s father. Stamp pack winners are Jan Rankins, Beaconsfield, Mary Rossetti, Pakenham and E. Cummins, Traralgon. DVD winners are Trish Whyte, Warragul, Alexandra Hilliard, Berwick, and Angela Darling, Morwell.
this way, as far as we can see. We have met with Planning Minister Justin Madden who agrees our Pakenham site has been wrongly assessed, but so far has refused to correct it, leaving us with potentially a $2 million overcharge. “We don’t believe families of children attending the school in the future should have to bear this,’’ he said. “This school is urgently needed for children across Cardinia and beyond, by parents who in many cases cannot afford to pay such an unfair charge.” Following several meetings including one in which Bishop Christopher Prowse met with both parties, the impost seems no closer to being resolved. Just before Catholic Life went to press, a letter was received from Finance Minister John Lenders but it appears to offer little in settling the dispute. The letter is being examined by the parties involved prior to a formal response being made. The lack of clartity in the letter has surprised some, particularly as the Labor Government is fighting hard to retain seats in western end of Sale Diocese. A response from the Shadow Minister for Planning Matthew Guy is much clearer. He said the Coalition supported St Francis Xavier College’s position on local development contributions. The Coalition accepted the argument that the school should not pay any morte than the normal amount for a local structure plan which was 25 percent. Mr Guy said that, if elected, he would ensure that the charge approved by Mr Madden was withdrawn, For the past 10 years St Francis Xavier College has been looking to establish a campus at Pakenham to improve access to Catholic secondary education. In 2007, the college identified a site on the north side of the Princes Highway, in the vicinity of Cardinia Road. The diocese made submissions to the Minister in February 2008 confirming the location of the site and that it would be needed for primary and secondary education.
The diocese also put the case that the site should be exempt from open space and development contributions. The Minister did not give the diocese the opportunity to appear before a panel, then he decided that the college should pay the same contribution as if it was being developed for housing. In subsequent school decisions where there was a hearing, the development contribution has been reduced to 25 percent. The Minister made a mistake in not allowing the school to appear before a panel and in his final decision. The diocese has asked the Minister to rectify the decision. At a meeting held on October 27, the Mr Madden and Mr Lenders agreed to seek a resolution and committed to provide a response on November 2, which did not occur. That response was finally emailed last Friday. The process of bringing all parties to the table has involved the school and parish communities as well as the diocese.
Crazy hair day boosts Catholic Mission
MODELLING their crazy hairstyles are (from loeft) Alistair Ottway, Hope Ridsdale and Gemma Wouters.. WARRAGUL - St Joseph’s Primary School had a crazy hair day on October 25 to raise money for Catholic Missions and the World Mission Day Appeal during children’s week. All children were asked to bring a gold coin and $330 was raised. Students and parents were very proud, everyone put in so much effort making their hair look very weird, wacky and crazy!
There were some unbelievable styles and everyone got into the spirit of the day. Catholic Mission shares the Church’s responsibility for a world where all persons, free from any discrimination and free from all barriers to life, can reach their full potential and happiness. St Joseph’s have helped Catholic Mission to help those people in our world who really need our help and support.
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The Catholic Development Fund Serving the Diocese of Sale Telephone: (03)5144 4311 Email: cdf@sale.catholic.org.au The Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale is not subject to the provisions of the Corporation Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Deposits with the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for this purpose. We welcome your investment with the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale rather than with a profit orientated commercial organisation as a conscious commitment by you to support the Charitable, Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church. Neither the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale nor the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Sale are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; contributions to the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale do not obtain the benefit of the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959; the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale is designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Catholic Diocese of Sale.
Page 4 - Catholic Life, November 2010
A treasure trove
Imagine there’s a heaven
Sign of the times
I SUPPOSE that many of us would know most of the words of John Lennon’s song, “Imagine there’s no heaven, above us only sky……” and so on. But what if we imagine that there is a heaven? What a difference that makes! Imagination is very much part of faith, not like some ‘oneupon-a-time’ fairly tale or a Harry Potter story but faith and imagination help us to see the layers of meaning in our daily lives. Some of Jesus’ most enduring lessons were taught when he called on us to use our imagination to understand a particular reality - the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, his descriptions of the Kingdom of God for example. If we reduce reality to what we can see, taste and experience, we miss so much of its meaning. In the same way, if we reduce our faith to formulas and dogmas, we also miss so much of its beauty and vitality. In the words of the Catechism: ‘We do not believe in formulas, but in those realities they express, which faith allows us to touch.’ CCC #170 Those formulas referred to in the Catechism draw us into a layered reality which is very much a part of the Catholic [Christian] tradition. To explore them, to come to some appreciation of them requires real imagination, an understanding that we live in a universe inhabited by often unseen presences - the presence of God, the activity of the Spirit, the presence of saints, the enduring presence of one another. Our deepest meaning comes, not from how we look or what we do for a job or the possessions we may amass but rather through how we love and why, how we appreciate each other,
CHANCELLOR Fr Brian O’Connor, who looks after the diocesan archives, took the opportunity to visit the Vatican archives during his trip to Rome for Mary MacKillop’s canonisation. Carrying a letter from the bishop and photos for his ID pass, he was welcomed graciously by the officials at the various archives he visited, including the Vatican’s secret archives. He had immediate success, obtaining copies of the documents from the Vatican to establish Sale Diocese in 1887 and for the appointment of the first bishop James Corbett and his successor Patrick Phelan. He was amazed to find Vatican officials leafing through original documents without wearing white cotton gloves to protect the documents from grime, oil and sweat from hands. Here in Australian gloves are mandatory at archives but it appears they do things differently in Rome. AS readers would be aware we ran competitions last month to give away Mary MacKillop DVDs, children’s books and stamp packs. We received hundreds of entries for the competitions with the most being for the coloring contest with the books as prizes. Second most popular was the desire for a DVD, with stamp packs a distant third. Once upon a time every child and probably half the adults would have been keenly seeking
the stamps as they had a stamp collection (I think I have four collections at home - mine and ones started for our three eldest children). Nowadays stamps don’t seem to hold the same appeal and, as we mentioned before, we occasionally receive letters with 10 and 20 year old stamps on them. Most unusued stamp collections are valued at about half face value, so rather than cash them in, people are using them up on their mail.
Go slow zone
TWO new sets of traffic lights, two new roundabouts and about a kilometre of roadworks at the eastern end of Traralgon didn’t do much to thrill travellers on the weekend before the Melbourne Cup. With many taking the Monday off to create a four day weekend, cars towing caravans and boats endured a real traffic snarl on the Friday evening. Progress has been slow and workers are hoping to get the job finished so there will not be a repeat at Christmas time. Next year traffic to and from Sale will have to endure quite a few delays as the Princes Highway to the west of town is being duplicated and the South Gippsland Highway to the south is being realigned and raised above flood level.
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Reflections by Jim Quillinan
how we understand God and the purpose of our lives. Imagination is integral to our understanding that this life is not confined by space and time, that there is a heaven. To remind us of that fact, during November, we celebrate the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. If we live in a world where what is real is reduced to what can be measured only by what is seen, touched, tasted, smelled, it becomes virtually impossible to understand our real connection with each other. With the imagination of faith we can come to appreciate that we are connected to each other in ways beyond the physical, beyond time and distance, and even beyond separation by death. We try to explain this reality by the expression ‘the Mystical Body of Christ’. Those feasts remind us that by baptism we become one with each other – we are baptised into the Body of Christ. The Eucharist cements that intimate union, as it were, not just with Christ but with each other. St Paul understood that our unity with Christ and with each other is so real and so mutually interdependent, the best way to describe it is as a living body: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended.
If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”…….. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. 1 Cor 12 14-28 Not like the body of Christ no, Paul is blunt: You ARE the Body of Christ. As members of this one body, we are united to each other in an extraordinary way. Just as Jesus is still alive, so is this Body of Christ – it couldn’t be otherwise so being part of the Body of Christ does not finish at death – we are still members of that body before and after death. This intimate union with each other links us, even beyond death. As Paul so vividly describes, this intimate union makes us interdependent. We need each other, we rely on each other. Inside the “communion of saints”, we believe that our loved ones who have died are alive, they are still with us. They are still part of our lives and we are still part of theirs, not just as a memory but with a connection we find difficult to put into words. They need us still and we need them too. Saints still inspire us, challenge us. The memory of loved ones is still real, their love is still with us, in some way we often feel their presence. We love them in life and in death and they us. So imagine there is a heaven. The imagination of faith can show us something that science cannot – that there are layers of reality. To see and appreciate them need imagination, that needs faith.
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Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 5
A 40 year journey to the diaconate
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. 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.
DEACON Frank Birrell with his three sisters (from left) Carmel Petkovic, Triss Basten and Mary Grealey following his ordination at Mary MacKillop Church, Ballajura. A FORMER Moe man has been ordained a deacon in Western Australia after a spiritual journey which has taken him more than 40 years since he first entered the seminary. Frank Birrell is the second son of the late Bernie and Kath Birrell, and attended St Kieran’s Primary School and then St Paul’s College, Traralgon. In the late 1960s he joined the Oblate of Mary Immaculate seminary in Mulgrave where he studied for the next two years. He left the seminary and went to Christ College, Chadstone, for the next three years, where he completed a primary teacher’s
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degree. Deacon Birrell spent many years teaching at schools around Gippsland, then in the 1980s a religious vocation was still calling and so he joined the Passionists in Templestowe where he studied for four years, including a year in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. He did not make his final vows but went on to obtain a theology degree from Notre Dame University in Perth. As a youngster he was always interested in the Kimberley region and so he applied for a teaching position at the mission school in Beagle Bay where he spent the next 13 years, followed by two years in Derby. Not knowing what to do next, he was encouraged by Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders to reassess his goals and enter St Charles Borromeo Seminary in Guildford, WA. In August, Archbishop of Perth Barry Hickey ordained him and four others as deacons, at Mary MacKillop Church, Ballajura. It is proposed that his long-cherished desire to be a priest will be fulfilled in Broome next September. The ordination to the diaconate was attended by his three sisters Triss Basten, Morwell, Carmel Petkovic, Moe, and Mary Grealey, Newborough.
It is full of photographs from the earliest years of the Cathedral, through until today. Remember the changes which have taken place in three development stages and recognise faces of people who have been part of Cathedral life.
✁
Copies will be 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 ❑
❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ ❑❑❑❑ ❑❑ Signature ............................................................... Expiry date ❑❑ /❑ for the amount of $55 (includes postage and handling) Name (BLOCK LETTERS)............................................................................................... Address................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................Postcode .......................... Phone .................................................
Page 6 - Catholic Life, November 2010
The mystery begins again in our diverse classrooms IN a recent conversation with one of our senior parish priests, he told me that it was always a marvel to him to watch a new group of students came into the school. They come from a wide range of religious family backgrounds, yet, as he put it, “the mystery unfolds again,” as the mix of young people become part of a prayerful Catholic community. Indeed, the religious education classroom in the Catholic school is an interesting place, presenting many challenges to our highly professional teachers. Those who have worked in these classrooms know the challenges well, as they know the joys, successes and frustrations, too. Let us consider one of those challenges, the students themselves. In this article, we will meet just three of the 25 or so in the class. It might be a Prep class or a Year 6, a Year 7 or a Year 12 class. The students we are about to meet are fictional, but they are no less real! Their names are Monica, River and Tanya. In Monica’s family, God and the Catholic parish community play a central role. The family is at Mass together every weekend; Mum and Dad are both involved in parish activities; the family prays together quite often; the parish priest is a regular visitor to the home for pleasant meals; dinner table conversation contains frequent reference to God and to religious matters. River lives in the next street. In his family, however, no one has been near the Church since his Mum had him baptised to please her own parents. (During the
baptism ceremony the priest wondered, as he often did, “Whatever happened to good old-fashioned Christian names, like Peter, Paul and John?”). The family home is a loving place where good human values are given high priority. The whole family are committed to the outdoor life and saving the planet, but there is no room for God, no room for Church – except maybe at Christmas, if it can be fitted in. River’s parents are ambitious for him to do well but that means, basically, to have a successful career that brings high income. Finally, we meet Tanya. She lives on the other side of the tracks. In her family, there is violence, substance abuse and neglect. Her Dad is often away, and it’s just as well because when he is home, home is not a nice place to be. And besides, when he is away, one of a number of “uncles” comes to stay for a night or two. Mum loves her alright, but her own life circumstances and poor parenting skills make things very difficult for them both. She doesn’t know how to set limits on where Tanya goes or what time she should be home. Monica, River and Tanya are all in the same class at school, the same Catholic school. All are baptised Catholics. All have a fundamental right to a Catholic education. How does the school respond in the matter of faith and religious education? Can anyone expect Monica, River or Tanya to emerge from the Catholic
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with Talking Peter Catholic Ryan Education school with the same level of religious knowledge or faith commitment? While we can never judge faith response, it does seem ridiculous to think they would. Yet this is the reality of every classroom in every school. It is very clear that our classrooms are not filled with Monica’s. Nor should they be. But we wait for the “miracle to unfold.” Our own Bishop, in his recent pastoral letter, Finding Home in Jesus (June 9, 2010) identified three groups to whom we, as church, need to reach out. He named the three as: those who have always been a member of the active Catholic community, those who are no longer Christians and those who have never been Christians. We might see Monica, River and Tanya in those three categories. Our Bishop tells us we have a mission to evangelise all of them. The Roman document The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium, in paragraph 15, tells us that the Catholic school should “turn in a spirit of love…to those who have lost all sense of meaning in life and lack any type of inspiring ideal, those to whom no values are proposed and who do not know the beauty of faith, who come from families which are broken and incapable of love, often living in situations of material and spiritual poverty, slaves to the new idols of society, which, not infrequently, promise them only a future of unemployment and marginalisation.” It would seem the Church is telling us that we need to reach out more to the River’s and the Tanya’s than even to the Mo nica’s. It is worth remembering that our unique Catholic school system in Australia has confused origins, too. In the 19th century the bishops’ courageous decision to maintain Catholic schools in the face of government hostility was clearly meant to ensure that the faith was to be passed on. But the founders of the great
teaching orders, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Catherine McAuley, John Baptist De La Salle, Daniel Delaney, Edmund Rice, Macellin Champagnat, Nano Nagle, Don Bosco, etc., all established their orders, not to teach the children of committed Catholic families (though, of course, they were always welcome) but, rather, the poor children of the streets and the bush. The writings of the time paint a pretty clear picture that many of these children were far more like Tanya than they were like Monica. But it was to them that the Church reached out in the schools founded by these great men and women. We reach out to those same children today. There are, and there should be plenty of Tanya’s in our classrooms. But while there are Tanya’s, there are Monica’s and there are River’s. They are all at vastly different places on their journey. It is a complex web indeed, and one that our teachers are always challenged to respond to. In the Diocese of Sale we have an excellent and highly acclaimed religious education program, Journeying Together in Hope. In many places that document tells us that, “individual students differ considerably in their backgrounds, abilities and general characteristics”. It goes on to say that there are certain patterns in children’s development. That is very true. But there are vast differences, too. Teachers are required to interpret that program to meet children across that vast array of differences. What a challenge! In literacy and in numeracy lessons, for example, teachers assess each student’s level of knowledge and readiness to learn. Then they tailor their lessons to meet the needs of the individual. It is so difficult to do that in the religious education classroom. More often that not, sadly, Monica, River and Tanya will all be presented with exactly the
same lessons, in a one-size-fitsall approach. Perhaps it may be that teachers are hesitant to “judge” a student’s faith. Of course, gaining religious knowledge and responding to God’s offer of faith are very different things. But here, we are talking about knowledge – a knowledge of the teachings of the Church, of scripture, of sacraments, of prayer. Monica knows these things well when she enters the class. They are part of her very fabric. River knows nothing at all of them. He has no experience of religion or of things religious. Providing them with the same program seems a strange thing indeed! Our bishops have the responsibility of ensuring that all our programs are aligned with the teaching of the Catholic Church and provide that comprehensively. We are assured that our program fulfils those conditions. But the program is only as good as the teachers who deliver it. Once again, they are required constantly to rise to the challenge of meeting the students where they are on their life journey. And so often, they do. There are many students from religiously privileged backgrounds, like Monica, who do not find it in their hearts to respond. There are many from religiously deprived backgrounds, like River or Tanya, who choose to respond. That is a mystery that is beyond us. But, “the mystery unfolds again.” And the wonderful work our teachers – and other staff – do, inside and outside the classroom are part of the reason that the mystery can unfold. We should thank God for them and their work every day. The lessons these teachers give in the Religious Education classroom are critically important. So are the relationships they develop. Our teachers, as the church tells us, do not write on inanimate materials but on the very spirit of human beings. What a privilege! They are required, as St Francis of Assisi tells us, to “preach the Word of God constantly. Even use words if you have to.”
Prison ministry worker sought CATHOLIC Prison Ministry is seeking a pastoral care worker to work at the Fulham Correctional Centre, a privately operated prison on the outskirts of Sale. Director of Catholic Prison Ministry Victoria Sr Mary O’Shannassy sgs said it was a rewarding and challenging position. The person being sought was a good listener who understood people. They should be able to see the face of Jesus in those rejected by society, be committed to working for justice and have learnt from the experiences of life. She said the person should be open to ongoing learning and training. Catholic Prison Ministry works within ther prison system, taking pride in responding to the
words of Christ in Matthew 25:36 “When I was in prison you visited me.” Those interested in this pas-
toral position can contact Sr Mary on 9287 5577 or at cpmvic@pacific.net.au.
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Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 7
Polish born priest to be ordained this month By Colin Coomber THE journey to the priesthood for Dariusz Jablonski, began in Poland about 12 years ago.
That journey will be complete when he is ordained a priest of Sale Diocese by Bishop Christopher Prowse on November 27.
The ordination will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, at 1pm, with a special guest being his mother who will shortly arrive from Poland.
DEACON Dariusz Jablonski in St Michael’s Church, Berwick, where he will celebrate his first Mass as a priest on November 28.
Deacon Daruisz, or Darek which is the Polish diminutive by which he is known by family and friends, grew up in the suburbs of Warsaw where his father and mother were mushroom growers. After completing his schooling he entered the seminary to train for the priesthood for Warsaw Prague Diocese and was ordained a deacon in St Florian’s Cathedral in May 2004. Shortly afterwards Deacon Dariusz decided to take leave from the diocese and following a period of discernment, decided that being a priest in Poland was not appealing. He went to Rome for four months where he lived with some religious sisters and tried to learn the Italian language. He was there when Pope John Paul II died and from the ensuing flood of bishops and clergy he was able to learn more about the Catholic Church in a world context. Deacon Dariusz returned to Poland for a short time, then obtained a visa for the United States, where his visited an aunt who is a religious sister in Maryland and then worked for 14 months in a parish is West Palm Beach, Florida. He says the time spent working in the parish helped him to gain a greater understanding of pastoral care in Western society. On his return to Poland he met a priest who had worked for Sydney Archdiocese for a time and this gave him the inspiration to investigate the Church in Australia. “At first I thought ‘Australia? No, it is so far away. A holiday maybe but not to live.” On his first visit on a tourist
visa he enjoyed what he saw and began contacting a few Australian dioceses to see if they might be interested in taking him on. Bishop Jeremiah Coffey was the first to respond and so Deacon Dariusz came to Sale Diocese to meet the bishop and priests. He liked what he saw and after deciding his future lay with the Diocese of Sale, he had to return to Poland and await a new visa. That visa took an agonising eight months to be granted and so he returned to Australia in May last year and started studying Canon Law, Australian Church history, reconciliation and anointing of the sick at Corpus Christi Seminary. For most of the time he has lived at the Berwick presbytery with Vicar General Fr Peter Slater and travelled to the seminary twice a week to attend classes. He was officially incardinated into Sale Diocese in April this year, after permission was obtained from his home diocese in Poland. Following the ordination, he will celebrate his first Mass at Berwick, at 10.30am the next day. He will return to Poland next June to marry his younger brother who is not coming out for the ordination, preferring instead to save for the wedding and honeymoon. Deacon Dariusz expects that as a priest he will continue to work with the young people of the diocese and is looking forward to accompanying pilgrims to World Youth Day in Madrid.
What’s best? Direct shares or managed funds? MANY people think that shares are a risky investment and that they would be better off without them. Others on the other hand, generally those with experience, think exactly the opposite. The irony of course is that all of us who have superannuation other than in our own controlled fund, almost certainly have shares. All “balanced” funds, retail and industry, have some of their investments allocated to the Australian share market. Growth options in any fund will have an even larger proportion
of shares. Many people have also taken advantage of government privatisations (Qantas, CSL, Telstra etc) and corporate ‘demutualisations (National Mutual, AMP, Tatts) and have received shares in those issues. My view, which history supports, is that shares are the best investment for growth, over time, of all asset classes. The real question we should be asking is – do we do it ourselves or do we pay someone else to do it for us? That’s the difference between direct investments and managed funds.
DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells
There are valid reasons for having managed funds in any portfolio in order to cover investment areas not available directly in Australia, although I’m not a fan of international shares, but before you choose it would be wise to consider some of the differences. One of the advantages of managed funds is that it does allow diversify into areas we wouldn’t otherwise be able, such as government bonds and some emerging economies, as well as “big end of town property”, which can act to reduce volatility. With a managed fund, investors pool their funds with, in some cases, thousands of other investors, and employ fund managers to invest it on their behalf. This does have its costs as fund managers are not charities. Many fund managers employ other fund managers to cover specific area of investment as well, so we can have as many as four or more layers of costs. Many of these aren’t reported as they are covered under “costs of investing”. Also, because fund managers must invest as funds are lodged by investors, it means that most
investors invest more at the top of the markets and sell out most at the bottom - the herd mentality. This has very negative tax consequences for all investors in a fund, not just those who are redeeming their investments. Direct shares on the other hand can be volatile but if held for the long term should give a better return. I’m not talking about small speculative shares but the mainstream good businesses which are unlikely to go broke, so that we reduce our investment risk. The main advantages of direct investment is that the investor maintains control of the investments and once invested the only costs are brokerage and tax. With control, the investor can make his own decisions to maximise benefits, such as reducing tax, or increasing income, or capital growth. These decisions do not reflect on others, but especially the decisions of other do not reflect on the investor. In order to minimise any stress the direct investor could use a full service broker to offer advise, recommendations and guidance – the benefit of experience such as is available to fund
managers. Without the ongoing costs, a long term growth portfolio in the hands of a direct investor should earn a greater return than that of managed funds holding similar investments. The responsibility for the outcomes remains with the direct investor and while most enjoy this, there are some investors who prefer, or should prefer to delegate this responsibility to others. One area not considered in this article is that of the separately managed portfolio, which can provide the benefits of direct investments without the investment responsibility. In an article this size there isn’t enough room to comment on all the advantages and disadvantages of each form of investment. If any reader wishes for more comparison, contact David Wells or RBS Morgans Farrer House on 1300 213 617 and we’ll send our eight page fact sheet, Investing Directly vs Managed Funds, free of charge or obligation. • This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and RBS Morgans did not take into account the investment objective, the financial situation and particular needs of any particular person. Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you need to consider, with or without the assistance of an adviser, whether the advice is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.
Page 8 - Catholic Life, November 2010
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Bishops urge a return to values at state election By Fr Bernard Buckley
IT is sometimes said that the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim is that the tourist passes through the place, while the place passes through the pilgrim. Ask anyone who has been to the Holy Land on pilgrimage and I’m sure they’d agree that it’s a life changing experience. To walk along or celebrate Mass at the Sea of Galilee, to visit Bethlehem and Nazareth, or walk the Via Dolorosa praying the Stations of the Cross; these are profound experiences in faith and life. I remember a kindly, old, Christian Palestinian man climbing onto our bus in Jericho when I was in the Holy Land earlier this year. He told us of the plight of the Christian people all through the Middle East. The priests on that pilgrimage weren’t really surprised to hear what he said. Pope Benedict has been talking about this topic for many years. The fact seems to be that the Christians are slowly leaving, or being driven from, the Middle East, including from the cradle of Christianity itself. Life is very difficult there for the Christian people. The old man thanked us for coming to his country. He was glad we were trying to gain an insight into the life of the Christians and their communities. He was pleased we were visiting Occupied West Bank. He asked that we go home and tell people about this situation and he especially asked that we bring Christian people to the Holy Land to visit our Christian brothers and sisters. Such a visit would offer an
THE Western Wall of the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock mosque behind it are well-known features of Jerusalem. important sign of our support even a little more about other for them, and encourage them in great religions, Islam and their faith. And a visiting group Judaism. of pilgrims could help support Our pilgrimage leaves in mid them by spending a few bob so February, 2011, and there are a they might continue to eke out a few empty seats on the plane and living. bus! If any parishioner, or His talk to us, that day in friends, across the diocese would Jericho, was very powerful and like to know more, perhaps with moving and so I decided that I a view to joining us in this marwould find out if there was any vellous experience, please coninterest in our parish and diocese tact me on 5144 4100. for people to make such a pilgrimage. • Fr Bernard Buckley is the There was. In association with Administrator of the Cathedral Harvest Pilgrimages a 20 day pil- parish at Sale. grimage has been put together that will, I hope, offer people an experience of a lifetime, enriching people in their faith and their life, supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt, MORWELL - The Italian Jordan and the Holy Land, and Mission, held each year in giving us an opportunity to learn Morwell in preparation for the feast of St. Francis, was once again well attended. Fr Vito Pegolo, Scalabrinian Father, together with Sr. Liz, Italian Chaplain, visited around 150 families, as well as the local ~Servicing Gippsland~ hospital and nursing homes. Maffra 5147 1954 The frail and elderly received the sacraments of reconciliation, Sale 5144 1954 Eucharist and the anointing of Heyfield 5148 3354 the sick. Each night, after Mass, the 24 Hour Service Brad Pal Col community, together with Fr Our Family Caring For Your Family With 25 Years Experience Pegolo, gathered in the tennis
VICTORIA’S Catholic bishops have issued a statement encouraging voters to vote for candidates who understand and will work for the common good. The 2006 census showed there were more than 1.3 million Catholics in Victoria. More than one million of these will be eligible to vote on November 27. For the first time in a Victorian State Election, the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Bishops of Ballarat, Sandhurst and Sale have prepared a powerful preelection document to guide Catholics as they consider how they will vote. In the nearly 2000 word document, Your Vote Your Values, the Catholic bishops urge Victoria’s catholics to question their local candidates on a wide range of important issues before deciding for which candidate to vote. Choosing the government is an important responsibility. The bishops urge Catholics to vote for the candidate that shares their values. Your Vote Your Values has been circulated to Catholic schools and parishes throughout Victoria. The document is available on all Victorian diocesan
websites. The bishops are not advocating any political party. They have raised issues and questions to help inform voters on important issues for the future. Catholics are encouraged to put specific questions and issues to candidates in the areas of families, life, education, health and aged care, criminal justice, drugs and alcohol and religious freedom. Questions ask for commitments of candidates in relation to euthanasia, respect for rights of conscience, support for expectant and new mothers, abortion, homelessness targets, funding for schools, support for people with disabilities, for people with mental illness, increasing opportunities for rehabilitation in the criminal justice system, crime prevention, the defence of religious freedom and the rights of religious organisations. Your Vote Your Values is signed by Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, Bishop Peter Connors of Ballarat, Bishop Joe Grech of Sandhurst and Bishop Christopher Prowse of Sale.
Morwell’s Italian mission club rooms for supper and a chat. It was a week filled with graces
and blessings, not only for the Italian community, but the parish as well.
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FR Vito Pegolo leading the mission with the statue of St Francis of Assisi and the crucified Christ.
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Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 9
An Australian saint for the whole world St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Warragul celebrates
Annie MacKillop the last member of the big family By Sr Mary Fermio BORN the fifth of the eight children of Alexander and Flora MacKillop in the Spring of 1848, a year after baby Alick’s death, Anne Catherine (Annie) MacKillop was to be the one to survive all her family.
Annie MacKillop When Annie was born, the family was living in the Darebin Creek area (now Preston), her father endeavoring to make farming a success. Like her brother, Peter, Annie spent many years of her childhood with relatives at Penola, where she met Fr Woods who told the children stories and played games with them. Annie was five years at Penola and when she was 12, her father insisted she return home. In 1860 the family was living at Richmond, with Mary working as a shopgirl. One of Annie’s skills was piano playing and she used this skill to support the family when living at Portland and to support herself in later life. One of Annie’s old pupils wrote of her “Dear, kind, brave Miss Annie MacKillop, always humble and happy.” Annie was an assistant at the school, where Mary taught in Portland, but her father made her leave when the scandal about the dishonest headmaster became known to him. Annie at 18 years, went to Penola, with Lexie, to keep the school going until Mary arrived early in 1867. Apparently, Annie’s happy-golucky ways and lack of orderliness often tested Mary’s patience, who knew she could only manage at Penola with somebody to help her. There was never any inkling of Annie joining the Sisters and she went to live with Uncle Peter when no longer needed. Annie, was the kind of person who filled the gaps when someone was needed. Letters from Annie reveal her
bubbling humor. In one she addresses Sr Mary: “My dear old Molly, please excuse the disrespectful beginning of this letter . . . but I wish you to forget your responsibilities for a while” and then launched into the possibility of “pumping up a vocation” with a view to being appointed Mary’s successor. She loved to get up to tricks and while at Penola with Mary, she played jokes on Mary teasing her about being a nun. At 37 she seemed to be finding it difficult to settle into her own niche. In 1885 she replied to Mary’s enquiries about her possible vocation in life: “Sometimes I fancy that an unsettled one may be the best for me and that the best thing I can do is to be content and try to improve myself and take down my pride a peg. Do you remember how, long ago, you used to accuse me of pride which I do believe is one of my stumbling blocks . . . I am a thousand times more fond of myself than I used to be.” Yet her nature must have been generous for she spent many years accompanying Mary and caring for her in her illnesses. She was with Mary when they founded the night school and House of Providence in Latrobe St., Melbourne, and nursed her when Mary was near death at Footscray a couple of years later. Annie accompanied Mary to New Zealand where hot baths helped Mary’s rheumatism until Mary had a stroke and had to return to Sydney. Brought closer together by their mother’s sudden death, Mary and Annie two of the three left, comforted each other, thinking of Donald, newly ordained, still in Europe. Annie stayed by Mary as her life slipped away. Mary’s last words “Go on” were to her, as she had paused in her reading while a nurse attended Mary. At Mary’s requiem Annie was unable to claim her reserved seat. We can imagine her feelings on that day! While living with relatives near Hamilton at one time, Annie searched for her father’s grave and took care of it, though too poor to provide a headstone. She must have been loved by her uncle Peter, who having no children of his own, left his money to her.
Mary MacKillop & Family
Part 9 She in her turn left it to the Sisters for their kindness in caring for her. The last years of Annie’s life was spent with the Sisters of St Joseph at Grattan St, Carlton, where she died at age 81, on January 14, 1929. She is buried at St Kilda Cemetery with her Uncle Peter and his two wives. Annie was the last link with Mary MacKillop and her memoirs gave many insights into the family. On becoming aware that the process of Sainthood was beginning, Annie said: “Do you think my Sister will really be canonised?” The Advocate, Melbourne made this reference to Annie after her death: “She had endeared herself to all by her genial and charitable disposition, and when death came, at the ripe age of 81 years, she passed away with edifying resignation, surrounded by the tender care of the Sisters, the progress of whose order she had watched for many years.” Sources: Mary MacKillop’s Family, Philomena McGuigan rsj, Resource Material, Archives.
• This article completes this series by Sr Mary Fermio rsj on the family of Mary MacKillop. The series was originally published in Catholic Life in 1998 and the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop has created great interest in the reprint. Special thanks to the Sisters of St Joseph and the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre for providing the illustrations.
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LUCY Codling (left) with a MacKillop bookmark and Libby Sceney with a Josephite symbol they made. at St Joseph’s School., WARRAGUL - St Joseph’s at the conclusion of the day. Primary School celebrated a very Some activities that were commomentous and historical event pleted included students creating in our Church history and for booklets of St Mary’s life, readour Diocese of Sale on October ing books together on the inter18. active whiteboards, singing The teachers and students cel- songs, completing a variety of ebrated Mary MacKillop’s different artworks, creating stocanonisation in a variety of dif- ries, prayers and poems of St ferent ways throughout the day, Mary, playing old fashioned spaning over many different games, looking at the values of learning areas in the curriculum. St Mary, her achievements and The day began with a liturgy in struggles and reading her letters the new stadium which was a and quotes. very special event to have the The school also used St Mary entire school together, singing, as an inspiration and completed listening to readings, praying a service activity around the and seeing a timeline of Mary school, picking up rubbish, MacKillop’s life. cleaning windows, sweeping, Students were very respectful reading to another class, reduring this liturgy and sang and shelving library books and genparticipated beautifully. The erally tiding the school. school is lucky to have such a The inspiration was to focus great prayer space for the whole on St Mary of the Cross’s ability school in the new hall. to “never see a need without Teachers and students then doing something about it” and returned to their classroom to her compassion and thoughtfultake part in many different St ness towards others. Mary of the Cross activities. Overall students and teachers Students had a wonderful day learnt so much about St Mary of learning about Australia’s first the Cross MacKillop and had a saint, completing some fantastic great day being emersed in the activities and speaking inspira- life of a truly special and awetionally about our special saint inspiring person.
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Page 10 - Catholic Life, November 2010
An Australian saint for the whole world St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
POSTULATOR Sr Maria Casey rsj meets Pope Benedict XVI during the canonisation. - Kerry Myers photo
Canonisation a showstopper ABOUT 200 pilgrims from Gippsland were among the thousands of people who gathered in St Peter’s Square for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Some travelled in organised pilgrim groups, while others travelled solo but still managed to score seats at the event. Others made it to Rome but missed out on being present but were able to watch it on Vatican TV. One such tourist, from Warragul, said she was disappointed not to be actually present at the ceremony but had been able to enjoy the atmosphere in
the days before the big event. Australia’s first canonised saint, now know as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, also created great interest here in Australia. Secular media outlets devoted pages to the canonisation after recognising that something special was happening, not just for the Catholic faithful, but all Australians. The MacKillop story from her humble beginnings in Melbourne, to founding the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, her excommunication and battle with Church
THE Aussie flags are flying in this section of the crowd at St Peter’s Square. - Kerry Myers photo
authorities, is now well known across this country. In our diocese people gathered in schools halls and parish centres to view streaming of the canonisation live while others watched on their home computers or caught the round-up on television. While not as big is the Melbourne Cup, it was certainly an event which drew the nation’s attention for a few hours on October 17. • Thanks to Kerry Myers, editor of Catholic Weekly, Sydney, for providing photographs for us.
BISHOP Christopher Prowse (centre rear) and Sr Rose Duffey csb (right) at the Vatican with students representing Sale Diocese secondary colleges
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 11
An Australian saint for the whole world St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
THE crowd gathers in St Peter’s Square for the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and five other new saints.
- Kerry Myers photo
Be inspired - Pope POPE Benedict urged people to be inspired by the example of St Mary of the Cross during the Papal Mass of canonisation. He said “Remember who your teachers were. From these you can learn wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. “For many years countless young people throughout Australia have been blessed with teachers who were inspired by the courageous and saintly example of zeal, perserverence and prayer of Mother Mary MacKillop. “She dedicated herself as a young woman to the education of the poor in the difficult and demanding terrain of rural
Australia, inspiring other women to join her in the first women’s community of religious sisters in that country. “She attended to the needs of each young person entrusted to her, without regard for station or wealth, providing both intellectual and spiritual formation. “Despite many challenges, her prayers to St Joseph and her unflagging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom she dedicated her new congregation, gave this holy woman the graces needed to remain faithful to God and the Church. “Through her intercession, may her followers today, continue to serve God and the Church with faith and humility.”
SISTERS of St Joseph in their distinctive light blue scarves with Kathleen Evans (second from left) who was the recipient of the second miracle attributed to the intercession of Mary MacKillop. In the group is Sr Sharon Teresa rsj,originally from Yarram, who took her final vows last year. - Kerry Myers photo
MARY MacKillop’s portrait hangs in St Peter’s Square. photo
- Kerry Myers
CONCELEBRANTS at the thanksgiving Mass at St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls include Sale Diocese chancellor Fr Brian O’Connor (fourth from left). - Kerry Myers photo
Page 12 - Catholic Life, November 2010
An Australian saint for the whole world St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Diocese celebrates this week A LAST minute reminder that the Sale Diocese celebrations of the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop will take place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, this Friday, November 12 at 11am. Student and parish pilgrims who attended the canonisation in Rome have been asked to attend this event. Clergy and parishioners from across the diocese are expected to fill the cathedral. Light refreshments will be offered at the conclusion of Mass. On Saturday, November 13, the Ecumenical Commission is hosting an afternoon “Mary of the Cross MacKillop - A Great Australian”. It will be in at Mary of the Cross Hall, at St Michael’s, Church St., Traralgon, from 1.30pm to 4pm. Presenter is accomplished speaker on Mary MacKillop, Sr Lynette Young rsj, Wonthaggi, and Bishop Christopher Prowse will also speak.
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SISTERS of St Joseph in their new light blue scarves attend the celebratory Mass at St John’s, Koo Wee Rup. KOO WEE RUP - A special Mass was held at Koo Wee Rup to honor the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Several sisters from other areas joined local Sisters of St Joseph Sr Rose Wood rsj and Sr Christina Scannell rsj at thge Mass which was celebrated by Fr Thomas Mannakulathil, assisted by Deacon Mark Kelly. A group of Josephite Associates also participated. In his homily, Deacon Kelly spoke of Mary MacKillop’s keen spirit and her ability to mix with the poor and the deprived. He spoke of her strong faith, integrity and compassion which were displayed in her teachings, and he gave a number of examples as to what her feelings may have been as she experienced daily life.
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PICTURED with their winning posters of Mary MacKillop are Tiana Vicino (Grade 3), Sarah Mulqueen (Grade 5) and Brittany Monacella (Grade 4). After Mass, the parishioners gathered in two classrooms as NEWBOROUGH - The chil- Cross MacKillop. The children in Prep, Grades 1 well as the outside area to enjoy dren at St Mary’s School Newborough recently celebrated and 2 were invited to participate an early evening dinner which the canonisation of Australia’s in a coloring in competition of was provided by the parish.. first saint Saint Mary of the Mary MacKillop. The entries were displayed at the Devonshire tea at the school fete. Children in Grades 3 to 6 were welcome to participate in a poster making competition and a computer Powerpoint presentation. The posters were displayed in the church and the winning Powerpoint presentation was shown at the parish Mass on the day of the canonisation and also at the whole school liturgy on Monday morning. Each child in the school received a very special Mary MacKillop bookmark to commemorate this very important occasion. The Mary MacKillop events were sponsored by Brian Handley from Brian Handley and Associates Financial Services, Moe. Religious education coordinator Trish Mulqueen said “The canonisation of our first saint is a wonderful celebration for all SCHOOL children in the new multi purpose hall at Berwick join in the Australians. Mary stands out as one of our Australian heroes celebrations surrounding Australia’s first saint. and her story reminds us that each person can and does make BERWICK - To mark the occa- Mary of the Cross MacKillop. a difference in our world.” sion of the canonisation of Mary MacKillop, three Catholic schools in Berwick’s community, St Michael’s, St Catherine’s and St Brigid’s gathered together for a Mass, led by Fr Peter Slater, to celebrate this historical event. As the numbers of children and parishioners exceeded the capacity of the St Michael’s Parish Church, a video link was streamed from the St Michael’s Church to the St Michael’s Primary School multi-purpose hall, where the other half of the children and parents were seated. PO Box 124, Sale 3853 Ph: 5143 0355 This wonderful opportunity enabled the Berwick St Michael’s 204 Raymond Street Fax: 5143 0388 Catholic Parish schools and the wider community, be part of this www.lifefm.com.au admin@lifefm.com.au historical event of the canonisation of Australia’s first saint, St
3 schools combine
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 13
For the Young and Young at Heart Time for a Laugh Monkey madness colour-in A MAN walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him, and as he sits, the waitress comes over and asks for their order. The man says, “I’ll have a double cheeseburger, large fries and a coke,” and turns to the ostrich and asks, “What about you?” “I’ll have the same,” says the ostrich. A short time later the waitress returns with the order. “That will be $8.94 please,” and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out exact change for payment. The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, “I’ll have a double cheeseburger, large fries and a coke,” and the ostrich says, “I’ll have the same.” Once again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change. This becomes a routine until late one evening, the two enter again. “The usual?” asks the waitress. “No, this is Friday night, so I will have a porterhouse steak, baked potato and salad,” says the man. “Same for me,” says the ostrich. A short time later the waitress comes with the order and says, “That will be $22.86”. Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table. The waitress can’t hold back her curiosity any longer. “Excuse me, sir, how do you manage to always come up with the exact change out of your pocket every time?” “Well,” says the man, “several years ago I was cleaning the attic and I found an old lamp. When I rubbed it, a genie appeared and offered me two wishes. My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I wish I’d just put my hand in my pocket, and the right amount of money would always be there.” “That’s brilliant!” says the waitress. “Most people would wish for a million dollars or something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want for as long as you live!” “That’s right! Whether it’s a litre of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact amount of money is always there,” says the man. The waitress asks, “One other thing, sir, what’s with the ostrich?” The man sighs, pauses, and answers, “My second wish was for a chick with long legs who always agrees with everything I say!” WHAT do you get if you cross and eagle with a skunk? A bird that stinks to high heaven. A LITTLE man walked into the health department one day and said “I have three brothers and we all live together in the same house.
“My eldest brother has seven cats, another has three dogs and the third has a goat. “What can I do about the noise and terrible smell?” The health department officer thought for a while and said “The first thing to do would be to open up all the windows and let in some fresh air.” “Whoa,” said the little man “All my turkeys and pet pigeons will escape!” WHAT is black and white and noisy? A zebra with a drum kit. A MAN is in bed with his wife when there is a rat-a-tattat on the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock, and it’s half past three in the morning. “I’m not getting out of bed at this time of night,” he thinks, and rolls over. Then, a louder knock follows. “Aren’t you going to answer that?” says his wife. So he drags himself out of bed and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is man standing at the door. It didn’t take the homeowner long to realise the man was drunk. “Hi there,” slurs the stranger. “Can you give me a push?” “No, get lost. It’s half past three. I was in bed,” says the man and slams the door. He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says, “Dave, that wasn’t very nice of you. Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the baby sitter and you had to knock on that man’s house to get us started again? What would have happened if he’d told us to get lost?” “But the guy was drunk,” says the husband. “It doesn’t matter,” says the wife. “He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him.” So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere shouts, “Hey, do you still want a push??” He hears a voice cry out, “Yeah please.” So, still being unable to see the stranger he shouts, “Where are you?” And the stranger replies, “I’m over here, on your swing set.” ONE day Tony’s girlfriend called to say their friendship was off and that she wanted her photograph back. Two days later she received a big parcel, full of photographs of different women. Inside was a note: “I can’t quite remember what you look like. Pick out your photo and send the rest back.”
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send entries to: Colouring Contest, c/- Catholic Life, PO Box 183, Sale. 3853
Learn about John the Baptist WHAT do you know about John the Baptist? As we enter Advent, the season on the Church calendar leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, our Sunday readings teach us about John the Baptist. Can you fill in the gaps using the words in the box at right? 1. John the Baptist was a ....... of Jesus. 2. His mother was called ................ 3. He lived in the .......... where he ate wild honey and .......... 4. His wore clothes made from ............. skins. 5. He proclaimed a message telling anyone who would listen to ............. the way of the Lord. 6. Men and women came to him to be ................. in the River Jordan. 7. ............. visited John to be baptised. 8. After the baptism the New Testament describes
God’s spirit descending on Jesus like a .......... 9. Some people thought John was the ................. 10. He was imprisoned by
locusts Jesus Herod daughter dove wilderness
............ for denouncing his marriage to his brother’s wife. 11. He was executed by Herod at the request of his ............. Salome.
baptised cousin Messiah Elizabeth camel prepare
MacKillop book winners THANK you children for the many many entries for our colouring contest with Mary MacKillop Children’s Prayer Books as prizes. Unfortunately, we only have four copies to give away and that made the task of selecting winners even harder. After much deliberation, our winners are Alexandra Hillard, 11, of St Michael’s Primary, Berwick; Carly
Wood, 10, from St Therese’s Primary, Cranbourne North; Lillie Schacht, 11, from St Mary’s Primary, Maffra, and Emma Brinker-Ritchie, 9, from St Mary’s Primary, Yarram. Thank you to John Garrett Publishing for providing us with the prizes. The books will be delivered to students in the next couple of weeks.
Page 14 - Catholic Life, November 2010
The Melbourne career of Sale’s second bishop BISHOP Patrick Phelan was appointed the second Bishop of Sale after Bishop Corbett’s death in 1912. Fr Phelan, who was to become a clerical leader of Catholic life in Melbourne, arrived in 1888, two years after Archbishop Carr. Patrick Phelan, born in Kilkenny in 1860, came from a family with several cousins in the priesthood. At one clerical function in Kilkenny we are told, ‘six Father Phelans were present - three pairs of brothers’. His brother, Fr Michael Phelan, also came to the Melbourne Mission, as it was then called, and later became a Jesuit. After education at Mount Melleray and Carlow College, Patrick Phelan was ordained in 1888. He was knowledgeable in Irish history, literature and theology, and developed these interests in Australia. In Melbourne his first appointment was as curate at Essendon and he was later parish priest at Collingwood, where he was soon noticed as an outstanding cleric. Carr had the vision, but Phelan oversaw the practical carrying out of his ideas. Good at business, firm but personable, an efficient administrator and successful fund-raiser, he also had intellectual and scholarly gifts. Phelan was instrumental in forming Catholic organisations and arguing the Catholic cause in public. Fr Phelan had a stellar career, rising rapidly and gaining all the glittering prizes except the top one: he became successively Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Vicar-General of the Archdiocese, Doctor of Divinity, Monsignor, and finally Bishop. Phelan is a forgotten giant of the Melbourne Catholic scene. Phelan had an extraordinary variety of interests. He became the Catholic Young Men’s Society national spiritual director. Fr Phelan was credited with starting the tradition of communion breakfasts, a feature of Melbourne Catholic life thereafter. He was the clerical leader of the flowering of Catholic intellectual and cultural life which began in the 1890s. A great leap forward for the archdiocese was the founding of the CYMS magazine Austral Light in 1892. The importance of reading for developing character and informing the mind was stressed in the magazine, which was not under direct clerical control, though Fr Phelan was listed as ‘Censor’. When the magazine was taken over by the Catholic Church in 1900, Fr Phelan was appointed manager. From 1900 more articles of a religious and apologetic nature appeared, and speeches by prominent clergymen (like Carr and Phelan) were printed in
Gippsland History with Patrick Morgan extenso. Fr Phelan praised the editor Joseph O’Meara for his delicate balancing act: ‘He had to endeavour to please the layman, and to give them full scope for their views on Church matters, without bringing on his own head the adverse criticism of the clergy’. Fr Phelan’s copies of Austral Light are in the Bishop’s Library at Sale. Fr Phelan supported charitable institutions such as the Abbotsford Convent and the Foundling Home at Broadmeadows. The Abbotsford Convent of the Good Shepherd began in 1863, and it had extensive additions over the decades. The convent for the nuns was completed in 1902, giving it the form we know today. Fr Phelan was parish priest of Collingwood, which include Abbotsford, at the time, and helped raised funds to complete the convent buildings. The Australian order, the Sisters of St Joseph, founded by Mother Mary MacKillop, also began in 1902 a foundling home for illegitimate and abandoned children in a large, two-storied building on a 30-acre site, overlooking Melbourne in the distance, at Broadmeadows. Dean Phelan arranged the purchase. The Australian Catholic Truth Society was based in Melbourne, beginning in December 1904; Archbishop Carr was the initial president, and Dean Phelan, as he then was, was treasurer. ACTS pamphlets were sold all over Australia, mainly through the parish network, and also through organisations like the St Vincent de Paul Society, the CYMS and the Australian Catholic Federation. Dean Phelan wrote many of the early issues. In 1907 the Vatican issued Ne Temere, a new decree tightening up the rules for marriage. In 1912 a Presbyterian cleric, the Rev Laurence Rentoul questioned the church on the Ne Temere divorce issue, and Dean Phelan was given the task of replying on behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese. In February 1913 it became known that Ronald Stewart, a convert, writer and Catholic activist, 42 years old and with a family of eight young children, was stricken with a debilitating illness. An appeal was set up by Bishop-elect Phelan for his wife
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and family. Carr and Phelan were very close friends. Phelan had looked after the archdiocese during Carr’s extensive ad limina absence in 1908-9. The Advocate wrote of Phelan then: ‘He seemed to do the work of several men. He appeared to need no rest’. His central role as the one after Carr who carried the Melbourne archdiocese’s great expansion and success was acknowledged at the time. Some people expected that he might succeed Carr. Four interconnected events in 1912 were significant for the leadership of the Catholic Church in Melbourne. In March Dean Phelan was promoted to the rank of monsignor; in June Bishop Corbett of Sale died; in August the appointment was announced of Dr Mannix, president of Maynooth College, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Melbourne to succeed Carr; and in December Monsignor Phelan
Bishop Patrick Phelan was appointed the new Bishop of Sale. The Melbourne clergy electors had voted for Carr’s choice, Mannix, in late 1911, and the Australian bishops agreed with this choice in early 1912. Carr had sounded out the question of his successor during his ad limina visit. By early 1912 he would have known that Mannix would be appointed, so the promotion of
Phelan to monsignor may have been in the nature of a consolation prize. Mannix’s new position blocked off Phelan from further promotion in Melbourne, so when Bishop Corbett died in June, the Sale vacancy was the obvious position for Phelan. Phelan was consecrated a bishop in December, and installed at Sale in early 1913.
Gippsland literature revealed FOOTHILL FARMERS, The Literature of Gippsland, by Patrick Morgan, published by Ngarak Press, distributed by author, soft cover, 141 pages, rrp $30. CATHOLIC Life history writer Patrick Morgan has released his new book Foothill Farmers, which covers Gippsland literature. Gippsland has an extensive imaginative literature of poetry, novels, plays, short stories and children’s books, as rich as any comparable region in Australia. As well as local writers like Mary Grant Bruce, Hal Porter, E. J. Bardy and Mary Fullerton, famous Australian writers like Marcus Clarke, Henry Lawson, Rolf Boldrewood and Katharine Susannah Prichard wrote works based on Gippsland after visits here. This book analyses imaginative works relating to exploration, Aborigines, squatting, selection, mining, timber-getting, war and other topics. A bibliography listing 80 authors and 130 books is included. Patrick Morgan has previously published an award winning regional history The Settling of Gippsland. The book was launched by the writer Chester Eagle at a Centre for Gippsland Studies conference at the Churchill campus of Monash University last month. The book is available in Gippsland bookshops and newsagents, and can be brought from the author, phone 5169 6216 or morganpa@iprimus.com. au. 39 NEW SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW by Brian O’Neel, published by Servant Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 156 pages, rrp $22.95. POPE John Paul II was regarded as the king of saintmakers,
Talking about Books canonising hundreds more saints during his pontificate than had been canonised in the previous 500 years. With saints in the news in Australia with the recent canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, it is worth looking at some of the other recent saints. Each has a story to tell and a life worth emulating. Most of the saints in this book will never be household names but it does not make their story less interesting. Two who stand out because of the public persona before their deaths are Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata and St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). They bookend the other saints who include holy people and ordinary people who led holy lives. It is a pity that our own saint is not included in this book but then, there are about a dozen books in print extolling her virtues. JESUS 101 - God and Man, by John L. Gresham, published by Ligouri, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 144 pages, rrp $24.95. IN the Bible Jesus is referred to by at least 15 different titles and so in the early days of the Church there was much debate and in-fighting among the leaders as to the true nature of Jesus. It took hundreds of years and at least four ecumenical councils for the Church to define Jesus. We finally ended up with agreement that Jesus was both
fully divine and fully human, one person with two natures. Thoughts which denied his divinity or denied his humanity were declared heresies, as were those which claimed that Jesus was adopted by God. This book presents an authoratative, yet easily understood overview of Catholic teaching on this difficult topic. Theology students have often struggled with Christology and it was certainly a battle for the early Church. This book would be a valuable introduction to the topic for anyone considering theological studies as the author is a professor of theology at a United States seminary. And the every day Catholic may be surprised to find out what if behind each of the lines of the Creed as recited at Mass each Sunday. ALL ABOARD WITH NOAH, illustrated by Marie Allen, distributed by Rainbow Books, board book, 10 pages, rrp $17.99. THIS is a religious book for the littlest members of the family, made from solid cardboard, but because it also features lift panels it cannot be claimed to be indestructible. Each double page tells the story of Noah and has lots of little lift-up panels which reveal animals and members of the family working on the ark and doing their chores. The story is simply told and this book would make great bedtime reading for toddlers.
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 15
Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
(Mark10:17)
Good Youth News with Jess Denehy & Kelly Lucas WE have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Spain to meet with the World Youth Day 2011 organisers and to continue our preparations for the diocesan pilgrimage. The very fortunate timing of this trip allowed us to also take the opportunity to visit Rome for the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop before our meetings in Madrid and Toledo and we feel very blessed to have been able to be part of this event. Before we jetted off to Rome we were lucky enough to participate in “RE 4 the Rabble: a glimpse into the Life and Spirituality of Mary ” which immersed us in the story of this
remarkable woman. St Mary of the Cross was a young pioneer who helped shape the Australia we know and love. Witnessing her recognition as a saint in St Peter’s Square was a moment of great excitement but also a moment of wonder and awe at just what is possible when an ordinary young person has the faith to put their life in God’s hands. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop; please pray for us! Now that we are back in the office it is all systems go. We’d like to invite everyone to an afternoon of reflection and preparation Sunday December 5, 3-6pm at Lumen Christi Catholic Church in Churchill as
we start the holy season of Advent. This is an opportunity for youth and young adults to take some time out together to pray and reflect in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year. And of course 2011 in going to be bumper! Pilgrim Boot Camp for WYD2011 swings into full gear so if you are considering being part of this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Spain to join two million young people and meet Pope Benedict XVI you need to talk to us about registering ASAP. Visit www.sale.catholic.org.au and follow the youth ministry links or give us a call in the office for a chat.
School youth ministry WHAT an exciting year we have had in school youth ministry this year. The CSYMA program is alive and running in four of our secondary schools with the other three ready to begin next year. Remar is strong in two schools; Junior Josephites is beginning, Vinnies Youth, soup vans, social justice groups, solidarity programs and so much more is happening across the diocese. Some of the main highlights from the CSYMA program have been the student conference, staff conference and the main projects for the classes, running sacramental days for primary school students. From grade two first reconciliation days to Grade 6 confirmations, the Year 10 students in CSYMA have planned, prepared and presented some amazing days. These reflection or
retreat days have been a real turning point for students and classes. The hands on experience are invaluable and for nearly all the students a greater appreciation and understanding of the sacraments came from the experience. Next year there are many more exciting things happening in the CSYMA program. March will be our diocesan schools class retreat and April will be the leaders training course. A national teacher’s conference and retreat will be offered, regional student days and school based programs. Some of our schools have also been organising road trips to other states in Australia to promote the great work they are doing in CSYMA. Many of our youth ministry students are also planning on attending the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Madrid.
National CSYMA Holy Toledo a welcome for conference success our WYD 2011 pilgrims
DAPHANIE and Jesse from St Francis Xavier College enjoying the conference. ABOUT 300 students from across Australia gathered at St Francis Xavier College, Berwick last month for a conference aimed to bring youth ministry students together. The Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) national student conference was attended by students from a number of diocesan schools including St Francis Xavier Berwick, St Peter’s College Cranbourne, Marist Sion College Warragul, Mary MacKillop Leongatha and Catholic College Sale. The three-day conference aimed to bring together secondary schools, staff and organisations together for peer to peer ministry, payer and worship music and friendship. The conference used drama, prayer, mediation, music, concerts, Mass and reconciliation to make the conference more relevant and engaging for young people. With nine priests to hear confessions, it was amazing to see young people queuing for the opportunity. It was a very privileged and humbling experience. Mass was then lead by Bishop Christopher Prowse. After welcoming so many young people to our diocese from all over Australia, he inspired to students to be modern day mathers, to
stand up for their faith even when it’s not cool. A number of times throughout the homily the crowd erupted into applause, cheering for the bishop’s messages. Another big highlight of the event was the music. Led by Steve Kirk, the live music was fantastic. But Steve could not have done it without the hard work and support from the musicians from the youth ministry class at St Francis Xavier. The feedback back from the students had been wonderful. Steve Nash for Catholic College Sale said “They absolutely loved it.” Anita Kay-Taylor from Mary MacKillop College said “A lot of them couldn’t believe the energy in the room and many made new friends. It’s a great way to meet new people who have similar interests to what they do.” Rhonda O’Connor, the conference organiser from St Francis Xavier said “Many students were energised and empowered to be more who they want to be.” The conference was a terrific opportunity for our schools and has brought much energy to the youth ministry programs. A big thank you and congratulations goes to the youth ministry office and the team at St Francis Xavier College, lead by Rhonda O’Connor.
THE Diocese of Toledo in Spain is looking forward to welcoming 10,000 World Youth Day pilgrims from around the world to participate in Days in the Diocese, including our pilgrimage group from the Diocese of Sale. Days in the Diocese traditionally takes place immediately before WYD week and past pilgrims often refer to this time as one of the many blessings of their WYD pilgrimage. Jess Denehy and Kelly Lucas, from the Youth Ministry team, recently met Days in the Diocese organisers from Toledo to discuss their plans for hosting pilgrims from the Diocese of Sale and have returned from the meeting in Spain full of excitement. Toledo is located in the Castille region of central Spain, approximately 70km southwest of Madrid and 137km southeast of Avila. It has a population of about 75,000 and is a very popular tourist destination, especially as a day trip from Madrid. Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures. Sitting on a large hill, Old Toledo is encircled on three sides by the Tagus River and the old city retains its medieval road plan. “Holy Toledo” isn’t just an expression! This historic city in central Spain is positively packed with religious sites. A unique and richly diverse city, Toledo features Arab, Jewish, Christian, and even Roman and Visigothic elements. A beloved national landmark Toledo has remained relatively unchanged since the 16th century. Old churches and houses fill the city, where you can still stroll through streets barely wide enough for a man and his donkey, let alone a car.
THE magificent Gothic Holy Church Cathedral which dominates the city’s skyline The Holy Church Cathedral is ranked among the greatest Gothic structures in Europe and will be a focal point of our visit to Toledo for Days in the Diocese. The cathedral stands on the site of the Great Mosque of Toledo, which itself had replaced a Visigothic church. Built from 1226 to 1493, the long process is reflected in the Cathedral’s variety of styles. Inside, the cathedral contains important masterpieces including a spectacular
baroque high altar and two paintings by El Greco. Many historic events have been hosted in the Cathedral over the years, including the proclamation of Joanna the Mad and her husband, Philip the Handsome, as heirs to the throne of Spain. If you would like to join the Diocese of Sale on pilgrimage to WYD2011 including Days in the Diocese in Toledo visit http://www.sale.catholic.org.au/y outh/wyd2011-madrid.html for more information.
Page 16 - Catholic Life, November 2010
A busy weekend
From the Bishop’s Diary November 10 -Mass and gathering of religious at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 11am. November 10 - Catholic College Sale governors meeting. November 11 - Blessing and opening of new buildings at St Ita’s Primary School, Drouin, noon. November 12 - Diocesan celebratory Mass to mark canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 11am. November 12 - Civic reception hosted by Wellington Shire to mark 120 years of Sisters of Sion arrival in Sale. November 13 Ecumenical afternmoon in Traralgon focussed on St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, 1.30-4pm. November 14 - Special Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, to mark 120th anniversary of Sion Sisters, 11am. November 14 Pilgrimage to shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at St Mary’s Cathedral, 2.30pm. November 16 - Official
THIS weekend is a busy one in On Sunday Bishop Prowse will Sale, 1pm. Sale with the celebrations to celebrate a special Mass in the November 30 - Blessing mark the 120th anniversary of cathedral at 11am. and opening new facilities the arrival of the Sisters of Our That afternoon Catholics from at St Joseph’s Primary Lady of Sion and the annual pil- parishes all over the diocese will grimage to the shrine of Our converge on Sale for the annual School, Trafalgar, 2pm. of Perpetual Help at Sale pilgrimage to Our Lady’s shrine December 1 - Opening Lady Cathedral. at the cathedral. and blessing of stadium Celebrations for the Sion As usual the pilgrims will and multi purpose room at anniversary begin on Friday assemble around the statue of St Thomas’s, Sale, evening, November 12, with a Our Lady in front of the civic reception for invited guests, Bishop’s House at 2.30pm and 10.30am. by Wellington Shire process in to the cathedral. December 2 - Opening of hosted visit to Loy Yang POwer The cathedral features a Council. new facilities at St Station, 1pm The Sion celebrations continue remarkable icon of Our Lady of November 17 - Blessing Michael’s Primary School, throughout the weekend and will Perpetual Help which was given include a Mass at the graves of to the first bishop by Pope Leo and opening new facilities Traralgon, 11am. December 2 - Opening of the Sion Sisters at Sale Cemetery and a highly detailed stained at Nagle College, Saturday and a dinner that glass window of Our Lady in the new facilities at St on Bairnsdale. evening. entrance area. November 18 - Lunch Vincent’s Primary School, with local ecumenical lead- Morwell 2pm. ers regards Mary of the Cross MacKillop canonisation. November 19-21 Official visitation to Moe Bairnsdale Morwell parish. Bairnsdale, Saturday 7pm, Sunday 9am, 11am. Sacred Heart, Morwell, Saturday 7pm, Sunday November 20 - Diocesan Paynesville, Sunday 9am 10.30am. 1st Sunday, noon (Polish Mass). Lindenow, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays 11am Pastoral Council meeting, St Vincent’s, Morwell East, Sunday 9am Moe. Berwick November 22 - Meeting Berwick, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am, 10.30am Narre Warren with Aboriginal Comm6pm Narre Warren, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8aqm, ission, Sydney. 9.15am, 11am, 6pm Churchill November 22-26 Churchill, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am Australian Catholic Newborough Yinnar, 1st, and 3rd Sundays 10.30am Bishops’ Conference plenaNewborough, Saturday 7pm, Sunday 9.30am Boolarra, 2nd and 4th Sundays 10.30am ry meeting, Sydney. Yallourn North, Saturday 5.30pm Cowes November 27 Cowes, Sunday 9am Ordination of Deacon Omeo Bass, Sunday 11am Dariusz Jablonski to priestOmeo, 2nd and 4th Sundays 9am. Liturgy of the San Remo, Saturday 6pm Word with communion 9am other Sundays. hood, St Mary’s Cathedral,
Mass times around Diocese
Cranbourne
Quick calendar
What’s on & when November 10 - South region meeting, St Laurence’s parish centre, Leongatha, 11.15am 10 – Gathering of religious of diocese and mass, 11am 11 – Opening and blessing of new facilities at St Ita’s School, Drouin 12 – Diocesan celebration of canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 11am 12 – Civic reception by Wellington Shire to mark 120th anniversary of arrival of Sisters of Sion in Sale, 6pm 13 – Ecumenical commission, ‘Celebrating Mary MacKillop – A Great Australian’, Mary of the Cross Hall, St Michael’s School, Traralgon 13 – Memorial of St Francis Xavier 13 – Celebration of 120th anniversary of foundation of Our Lady of Sion Convent, Sale. 14 - Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral at 11am, followed by luncheon to mark 120th anniversary of foundation of Our Lady of Sion Convent 14 – Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine at St Mary’s Cathedral, 2.30pm. 16 – Central region meeting, St Joseph’s parish meeting room, Warragul, 7.30pm
17 - Official opening new facilities at Nagle College, Bairnsdale 19-21 – Bishop Prowse’s official visit to Moe parish 20 – Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, Moe 21 – Solemnity of Christ the King 22-26 – Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference plenary session, Sydney 24 - West region meeting, St Agatha’s parish centre, Cranbourne, 10.30am 27 – Ordination of Deacon Dariusz Jablonski as priest for Sale Diocese, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 1pm 27 – Victorian State Elections 30 - Deadline of December Catholic Life
December 2 – Valley region Christmas lunch, Morwell Club, noon 8 - Catholic Life published 8 - Combined CDF oard and Finance Council meeting 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 27 – Public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day 28 – Public holiday in lieu of Boxing Day
Cranbourne, Saturday 10.30am, 6pm
7pm,
Sunday
9am,
Drouin Drouin, Sunday 10.30am Neerim South, Saturday 5.30pm
Foster Foster, 1st and 3rd Sundays 11am. 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays 9am Fish Creek, Saturday before 2nd and 4th Sundays 7.30pm. Celebration of the Word, Saturday before 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays, 7.30pm Toora, Saturday before 3rd Sunday, 6pm. Celebration of the Word, Saturday before the 2nd and 5th Sundays, 7.30pm
Heyfield Heyfield, Saturday 7pm Cowwarr, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday 11am
Iona-Maryknoll
Swifts Creek/Ensay, 2nd and 4th Saturdays 6.30pm (alternating monthly). Liturgy of Word with communion at Swifts Creek 9am Sunday other weekends and at Ensay 6.30pm other Saturdays. Benambra, 2nd and 4th Sundays 11am. Liturgy of Word with communion 9.30am Sundays of other weekends
Orbost Orbost, 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays 6pm, 2nd and 4th Sundays 11am Mallacoota, 2nd and 4th Sundays 5pm Buchan, 1st and 3rd Saturdays 9am
Pakenham Pakenham, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am, 10.30am
Sale
Kooweerup, Saturday 7pm Lang Lang, 2nd Sunday 9am, 4th Sunday 5.30pm
Sale Cathedral, Sunday 9.30am, 6pm (5pm AprilOct) Rosedale, Saturday before 2nd and 5th Sundays, 7pm Stratford, Saturday before 1st and, 3rd Sundays 6pm Briagolong, Saturday before 4th Sunday, 6pm
Korumburra
Trafalgar
Iona, Sunday 11am Maryknoll, 4th and 5th Sunday 9am Nar Nar Goon, 1st and 3rd Sunday 9am
Kooweerup
Korumburra, Sunday 9.30am Loch, Sunday 5pm (6pm daylight saving)
Lakes Entrance Lakes Entrance, 2nd and 4th Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am Swan Reach, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, 11am
Leongatha Leongatha, Saturday 5pm, Sunday 11am Meeniyan, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 9.30am; 2nd and 4th Sundays, 11am Mirboo North, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 11am, 2nd and 4th Sundays 9.30am Other Sundays, Liturgy of the Word & HC, 9.30am Tarwin Lower, (at St Andrew’s Union Church) Saturday 5pm (6pm daylight saving)
Maffra Maffra, Sunday 9am Newry, 2nd and 4th Sunday 11am
Moe Moe, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8.30am, 10.30am Erica, Sunday 10.30am, Liturgy of Word & HC
Trafalgar, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 10.30am Yarragon, Sunday 9am
Traralgon Traralgon, Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9.30am, 6pm Glengarry, Sunday 10am
Warragul Warragul, Saturday 7pm, Sunday 9am.
Wonthaggi Wonthaggi, Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 9.30am Inverloch, Sunday 9am
Yarram Yarram, 1st and 3rd Sundays 9am, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays 11am Woodside, Saturday before 1st Sunday, 6pm All Mass times at www.sale.catholic.org.au
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 17
Young Ireland and its Australian implications By Terry Synan DOUBTLESS, it strikes modern Victorians as rather strange that directly south of Melbourne’s Parliament House there exists a triangular park called Gordon Reserve. It is bounded by the parliamentary grounds, and Spring and Macarthur Sts. Even more bizarre, it hosts a statue of Gordon of Khartoum. Why is he memorialised in Melbourne? From here walk north-eastwards a city block and you arrive at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Towards the north-west corner of its grounds there stands a life size statue of Daniel O’Connell. Again, you may ask: Who was he and why is his statue there? Neither Gordon nor O’Connell had a direct association with Melbourne, Victoria or Australia. However, both attended core events that impacted on our country one way and another – the gifted eccentric General Gordon (1833-85) through his various military adventures in the Crimea, Asia and Africa on behalf of the British Empire; and O’Connell (1775-1847) the great Irish patriot, through his political actions in Ireland and his representation of the Irish cause in the House of Commons, London. Of these two illustrious patriots, O’Connell was the more appealing in 19th Century Victoria. A sizeable Irish Catholic immigrant population insured his place of honour in a land he never knew. Yet another reason also had much local appeal. O’Connell’s efforts to repeal the Irish penal laws spawned, at the end of his efforts, the “Young Ireland” movement. Its leaders, either as transportees or refugees, did visit this country, leaving in varying degrees, their imprints behind them. By the 1800s “the Irish Nation” was composed of two well-defined strata. The Celts, the original inhabitants, were both the poorer laboring classes and Catholic. In the north-eastern corner of the Island, however, there was a small segment of the drawers-ofwater-and-hewers-of-wood class. They were of Scottish descent, and fiercely Presbyterian. The second strata comprised the ascendency. They were Anglo-Saxon by blood and Protestant in religion. Although the two strata rarely fused or inter-married, they both nonetheless felt themselves truly “Irish”. Both had a common grievance. They believed their sister island treated them not as an equal, but as a colony and in some ways harsher than others in the expanding British Empire. Like America beforehand, the Irish resented being treated as another possession to be exploited. Enter Daniel O’Connell. He spent the early part of the 19th Century seeking to wrest from that major partner sufficient reforms to allow Irishmen to prosper happily under rule by the Parliament of Westminster. He wished to give the 1800 Act of Union (creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) a fair chance. The first of O’Connell’s two great agitations produced amazing results. Through his successful candidature in the 1828 Clare election he was instrumental in having the Catholic Relief Act passed by Westminster, allowing
THE affray at Widow McCormack’s cottage on Boulah Common, Tipperary from the Illustrated Londoin News of August 12, 1848. Catholics to become members of activists, well educated and from parliament. across a wide spectrum of Irish This would not have occurred society. For example, they if it was not for the organisation include Thomas Davis a Dublin and efforts of his Catholic barrister and Protestant; Charles Association a mass movement, Gavan Duffy a talented journalwhich won the aid of Catholic ist and political operator who clergy and gained the political was Catholic; the rebellious John support and votes of tenant Mitchell, a Unitarian solicitor; farmers who had previously Thomas Francis Meagher, a brilvoted for their Protestant land- liant young orator and son of a lords’ nominee. wealthy Waterford merchant, The second of O’Connell’s and William Smith O’Brien an great agitations occurred 12 Irish aristocrat, a Protestant and years later after bigoted opposi- member of the House of tion from the Tories (conserva- Commons. tives) and many of the Whigs (liberals) in Westminster had convinced him that only a separate legislative would allow Ireland the full freedom to which the Irish nation was entitled. He founded a Repeal Association in 1840, again recruiting the support of Catholic clergy. Next he held famous “monster” meetings to convince Westminster the Irish were serious about Catholic emancipation. During 1843 he held over 40 such meetings. Attendance was William Smith O’Brien enormous – some drawing (estiAs the 1840’s progressed events mated) hundreds of thousands – two or three MCG Grand Final did not go well for Young crowds per gathering. Even more Ireland. That decade hosted the impressive was the orderliness most terrible Potato Famine and earnestness of those attend- (1845 – 48) which devastated the ing. O’Connell did not promote Irish population (One million the use of violence or open rebel- died of starvation and one million. He was a man of peace who lion emigrated out of a popularespected legitimate legal tion of eight million). Clearly the Irish were in no shape to take up authority. In 1843, he organised his great- the battle for independence at est monster meeting at Clontarf that time. Also, 1848 is known as the outside Dublin. As it happened the authorities forbade it and year of revolution in Europe and O’Connell meekly acquested. the parliament at Westminster His movement lost momentum was in no mood to be gentle with and dissension split his Appeal rebellion. “Habeas corpus” was suspended. Association. Yet in the midst of such times Into this political vacuum stepped “Young Ireland”, a Young Ireland unwisely sought group of young men largely to cause an Irish up-rising that associated with a Dublin weekly would free Ireland of English newspaper called The Nation, rule. Meagher and others presfounded in 1842 to support sured Smith O’Brien into leading the people in what turned out to O’Connell’s cause. However, Young Irelanders be a pathetic uprising in differed significantly from the Tipperary in 1848. Accordingly Smith O’Brien O’Connell modus operandi. They did not reject the use of tramped across Tipperary with force and they sought to repre- Patrick O’Donohue by his side sent all Ireland; the Protestant gathering a rag bag army of Assendency as well as the poorly armed peasants. Terrence MacManus joined the fray. In Catholic Celtic underclasses. They were young, enthusiastic July matters came to a head at and prepared to dish the Act of Ballingarry when a detachment Union. They stood for self rule of police occupied the Widow and an independent republic. McCormack’s two storey stone They foreshadowed the Easter cottage (the War House) surRising (1916) and the establish- rounded by this peasant army. Stones were thrown and shots ment of the Irish Free State fired. MacManus was wounded (1922). Their leaders were young in the leg and O’Brien sheltered
in the cottage’s cabbage patch at a loss as how to handle his affray. The “rebel” assembly soon melted away when 65 additional armed police arrived. No spontaneous Irish uprising followed and Young Ireland’s leaders were now facing charges of high treason which carried the death penalty. Young Irelander leaders were then rounded up and tried. However wisdom prompted the authorities to resist using the death penalty. Most were sentenced to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). One of their group, however, was eventually freed because the court failed to convict him. This was Charles Gavan Duffy who was next elected to Westminster becoming a member of the House of Commons, until he immigrated to Victoria in 1855, having become disheartened with Irish-British politics. Duffy certainly left his mark on Gippsland and Victoria during the next 25 years. He was elected to the first Victorian Legislative Assembly, becoming Premier in June 1871 for one year. Then holding the seat of North Gippsland (1876-1880) he became Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Thus did Victoria profit from his parliamentary experience and ability as well as his “intellectual honesty, and sincerity, both publicly and privately.”(One Hundred Years of Responsible Government in Victoria 1856 – 1956, C.E. Sayers) In 1877 Duffy addressed his electorate in the Mechanics’ Institute, Sale, declaring how delighted he was to journey through a district of “the finest land I ever saw exhibiting the best crop that land can rear – a crop of independent and prosperous yeomanry who declare that it was I who had planted them there.” Where were “the Maffras and Lindenows in the West as well as the East (of Victoria)”? he asked. He blamed the squatters for organising “dummies” to circumvent the Land Acts as had happened “between Sale and Rosedale” – a reference to William Pearson’s Kilmany Park run. (Gippsland Times April 11, 1877). Not only had Duffy taken a lead in land reform, he had also played a key role in the establishment of the Gippsland Railway Line which won him high local regard. Duffy was knighted in 1873 and created a KCMG in 1877. He retired to Nice in the Riviera in 1880 and wrote his renown autobiography, My Life in Two Hemispheres (2 vols). One son, John Gavan Duffy (1844 – 1917) continued the Duffy tradition as a Victorian parliamentarian from 1874 to 1904, while a younger brother, Sir Frank Gavan Duffy (1852 – 1936), joined the High Court of Australia in 1913 and from 1930 until his death was Australia’s Chief Justice. A third son, Charles Gavan Duffy (1855 – 1932), became Clerk of the Senate of the Federal Parliament. Seven other Young Irelanders tried for treason and found guilty were transported to Van Diemen’s Land. However, they were treated as “gentlemen” convicts rather than villains. As political prisoners they were given an amount of respect and freedom.
Patrick O’Donohoe, formerly a Dublin law clerk, was even allowed to publish a paper in Hobart called The Irish Exile. Kevin O’Doherty, a medial practitioner, was sent to Ross, Central Tasmania, where he used his medical knowledge to assist the locals. He later came to Hobart as acting surgeon. Thomas Francis Meagher met a beautiful Tasmanian girl and married her with the first Catholic Bishop of Hobart, Bishop Willson, officiating. John Mitchell’s wife and family followed him to Tasmania to be with him during his exile. John Mitchell and his friend John Martin were sent to Bothwell a farming town just north of Hobart. Martin, a Protestant like Mitchell, had trained in medicine and had worked among the Irish poor during the potato Famine. Terrence Bellow McManus was initially sent to Launceston and then to New Norfolk on the River Derwent. Initially he refused to give his word he would not attempt to escape but then relented. Lastly, William Smith O’Brien would not give his word not to escape. He was sent initially to the Maria Island penal colony and then to Port Arthur. In both penitentiaries he was provided with special accommodation as befitted a gentleman. Later he was allowed to take lodgings at New Norfolk. Transportation to isolated Tasmania proved a harsh punishment. The Young Irelanders were men of intellect and action who felt totally isolated and frustrated in the antipodes. To overcome this boredom four did escape to America, assisted by Irish priest Fr William Dunne and Patrick Smythe, dispatched from the USA to assist their escape attempts. McManus gained an early exit in February 1851. John Mitchell and family soon followed. Then escaped Thomas Meagher and Patrick O’Donohoe. Smith O’Brien’s attempted escape was foiled. Those remaining in Tasmania were pardoned in 1856 and returned to Ireland. The most famous escapee was Meagher who joined the Northern Army in the American Civil War and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. He later became Governor of Montana before mysteriously drowning in the Missouri River in 1867. Young Ireland had but a brief season in the history of Ireland and Australia. Like an Australian desert flower the movement quickly grew, bloomed and vanished. On 1840’s Ireland, they had but a brief impact and were soon forgotten. Australia journalist and novelist of the period, Marcus Clarke, summed up their lamentable situation succinctly as follows: “There is to me something most pathetic in this Irish rebellion stifled in its birth. If the patriots – for no man will, I trust, deny them that title – had been shot down in the heat of battle, or executed on the scaffold, the world would have accorded them the respect they merited; but to raise an insurrection which is put down by a corporal’s guard, to light the torch of revolution only to see it extinguished by a bucket of water, to be captured in a gooseberry garden and put in a Tasmanian corner like a naughty boy – most miserable!” (Old Tales of a Young Country, 1871.)
Page 18 - Catholic Life, November 2010
St Michael’s is Australasian Tournament of Minds winner BERWICK – Readers of Catholic Life will have been following the successes of the Tournament of Minds team from St Michael’s School, Berwick, over the past couple of issues. The team has now won the Australasian final of the applied technology section in Darwin, a stunning achievement. Members of the team were April Tsdarkas, Helena Hodges, Aiden Penn, Olivia Davis, Molly Greely, Chloe Anderson and Gemma Quinn. Tournament of Minds is a school competition which involves Catholic, government and private schools nationwide, requires multi-age team of primary and secondary students to spend seven weeks developing a creative solution to a given problem. Teams then presented their solutions through drama, art, music and media to a real audience and panel of judges. Tournament of Minds also includes an impromptu section, which tests students’ ability to think logically and creatively under pressure. Other sections include language, mathematics and engineering.
Remar journey’s golden ending
MEMBERS of the Marist Sion Gold caraval at their journey’s end. WARRAGUL - When you embark on a Remar journey is can be an amazing ride. For those who stick with it through to Year 12, Gold, true friendships and bonds are made. For the Gold caravels, as Year 12 ends so does their Remar journey together. The MaristSion College year 12 Remar group, called Juntos, had their graduation dinner last month. For the parents and staff there is was a real privilege to see these mature young men and women complete this journey. A highlight of the night was hearing each student make a public affirmation about another member of the group.
The two staff members who lead and travelled with the group, Matt and Hannah, also had a gleam in their eye and a proud smile on their faces. Year 12 student, school captain and member of Juntas’, Hannah Silberstein also found out this week that she has been selected to work for Remar national next year. Hannah applied for the gap year position along with many other hopefuls from around the country. After written applications, interviews and references Hannah has made it. This is an exceptional opportunity for Hannah and we wish her all the best.
world news ... Quake, cholera and hurricane HAITI - West Indies Catholic Mission regional director, Fr Donald Chambers calls for prayer for the people of Haiti, who have taken another battering – this time from a hurricane. Hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti are living in flimsy dwellings, still displaced from the January earthquake, making shelter a pressing concern. Fr Chambers wrote: “I ask that the global Catholic Mission family to pray for in the Antilles (West Indies) especially Jamaica and Haiti. “Please pray, especially for the people of Haiti, as they continue to recover from the earthquake of January 2010 with most people still living in tents, and more recently they have been having a cholera outbreak.” Haiti is a nation beleaguered by a crippling earthquake in January. Recent reports from Haiti confirm more than 300 people have died from cholera, and the number of confirmed cases are close to five thousand. Hurricane Tomas whipped through the West Indies recently, but was downscaled in category to a tropical storm. The islands of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were battered. Generally speaking, it left severe damages to physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, and residential proper-
ties. Many roads, especially those in the mountainous area are blocked by heavy landslides. St Lucia was most affected of the three islands with 14 persons reported dead as a result and 80 per cent of the island without electricity. St Vincent, the northern most island of the chains of islands was badly affected. However the Grenadines, a chain of beautiful islands south of St Vincent, was largely spared. National director of Australia’s Catholic Mission, Martin Teulan said “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones. “It’s a relief that there wasn’t greater devastation in the West Indies. We will continue to do all we can to help them rebuild. “Our immediate concern is for the people of Haiti, who have been through enough already in the past few months. “In a country filled with mountainous terrain, fears of life-threatening flooding and mudslides are likely.” If you would like to send a prayer to the people of Haiti, email prayers@catholicmission. org.au or visit catholicmission. org.au. You can also donate to the work Catholic Mission supports in Haiti by phoning 1800 257 296.
Fond farewell to Loch Hymnfest LOCH - The Loch Public hall was full, the weather splendid, and the committee who organised Hymnfest were very humble in receiving many comments on what a wonderful program that had been put together to say a fond farewell to the last Hymnfest. The guest artists St Laurence Primary School choir opened the program with very lively singing which set the tone for the afternoon. The bell ringers from Horsham on a return visit were loudly applauded after their performances. The Hymnfest Band under the direction of Jim Foley played for the whole of Hymnfest The ecumenical choir a combination of Loch and Meeniyan members under the direction of Lynda Fromhold from Meeniyan was just amazing. Ann Larkins whose performance was that of an angel singing concluded the program. Hymns were chosen that had been sung at the previous nine Hymnfests for audience participation so everyone got to sing one of their favorites. Pastor Ian Wilkinson from the Baptist Church in Korumburra was master of ceremonies and thoroughly enjoyed being a part
of Hymnfest once again and did a wonderful job. Bev Button, Ann Larkins, Topsy Motton, Patsy Heffernan, Hetty Vanderveer, Maree and Ray Ludenia, Lynda Fromhold, Margo and Jim Foley would like to publicly those who volunteered in any way during the 10 years of Hymnfest which began in 2000. We are very lucky and very blessed to have such amazing, wonderful people with such diverse talents here in South Gippsland and we are sure that all these wonderful people will continue to serve and share in there communities for many years to come. Hymnfest committee members have decided to distribute the donations made on the day of Hymnfest to the Meeniyan Uniting Church so they can continue with there wonderful ecumenical choir, to the Loch and District Development Association towards a new public toilet in the park barbecue area.
Pressure of space in this issue has forced us to run several stories without their accompanying photographs.
world news ...
New Cuban seminary opens CUBA - The new major seminary in the Archdiocese of Havana was formally opened on November 4. This was the first time in 50 years that the Cuban authorities have actually permitted the Catholic Church to erect a new building in the country. The new seminary, which is in fact a complex of buildings, is about 15km outside the capital Havana and has space for 100 seminarians. It is open to young men from all over Cuba. The Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, expressed his thanks for the help and solidarity of other Catholics, without which the building could not have been completed. A number of different bodies, including the US Bishops’ conference and the international
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need financially supported the project. The seminary was built within the space of four years and is named after St Ambrose and St Charles Borromeo. Both men were bishops of Milan who, in the fourth and 16th centuries respectively, worked for the renewal of the Church. A delegation from the US Bishops’ conference was present at the opening ceremony, which took place on the feast of St Charles Borromeo. The foundation stone for the seminary was laid during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba in 1998. However, since then the Cuban authorities had held up the building work for years. Only very recently did they at last allow the Church a little more room for manoeuvre.
The Archdiocese of Havana is planning to convert the old seminary into a cultural centre, which will be named after the Cuban-born Catholic priest and social reformer, Felix Varela. Aid to the Church in Need, which seeks among other things to promote reconciliation and Christian formation, has for years been supporting pastoral projects in Cuba, including especially the training of priests and religious, initiatives in the family and youth apostolate and the care of older people, the publication of religious literature, the repair and renovation of churches and other Church properties, and the provision of means of transport, including cycles, motorcycles, cars and other vehicles, for priests and pastoral workers in the country.
Laity is priority in Russia RUSSIA- Bishop Clemens Pickel of St Clement in Saratov has explained that one of his priorities is advancing the laity in his diocese. Bishop Pickel stated this in a visit to the headquarters of Aid to the Church in Need in Koenigstein, Germany, where he spoke about the recent festivities surrounding the 10th anniversary of Saratov’s cathedral. The celebration was held for the anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The principal festivities were attended by Archbishop Antonio Mennini, apostolic nuncio to the Russian Federation, all the Catholic bishops in Russia, Orthodox bishop of Saratov, and Lutheran and Muslim leaders. Bishop Pickel noted that a “fraternal and spontaneous” address by Orthodox Bishop Longin of Saratov was one of the high points of the celebration. “It was the third visit by the Orthodox bishop of Saratov to
our cathedral,” the prelate said. “The first two occasions were sad ones.” Bishop Pickel recalled: “The first time he visited us was to express his sympathy at the death of Pope John Paul II, and the second time was to express his condolences following the tragic plane crash near Smolensk. But this time he had come to congratulate us.” The prelate added that the Catholic faithful were “delighted” and saw this as a sign of friendship.
Catholic Life, November 2010 - Page 19
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New survey finds religious fewer but more involved AUSTRALIA’S religious sisters, brothers and clerical priests are older and fewer but they are doing many new things, a recent survey has found. ‘See, I am doing a new thing!’, the report on the 2009 survey of Catholic Religious Institutes in Australia will be launched on November 15 at Catholic Religious Australia’s offices in Sydney. Commissioned by CRA, the peak body for leaders of religious orders and institutes in Australia, the survey was undertaken on its behalf by the Pastoral Planning Office of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference . The authors of the survey and the report, Stephen Reid and Robert Dixon from ACBC and regional director of St Columban Mission Society Fr Noel Connolly SSC, will speak at the launch. CRA’s national president Sr Anne Derwin rsj and vice-president, Fr Tim Norton SVD will respond. The survey report, which is the first one to be undertaken since 1976, contains statistical information on Religious in Australia including numbers, age, locations, apostolates, as well as ownership and operation of institutions, and partnerships with other congregations and organisations. It also includes seven personal reflections on the findings of the
report from leaders of religious institutes. While Australia’s religious are ageing and decreasing, the survey also shows that since 1976 they have significantly expanded the types of ministries they are involved. There has been a movement away from institutional apostolates like education to the more social and pastoral ministries found on the margins of society Sr Anne Derwin said: “We can rejoice that there are over seven and half thousand Religious women and men still faithfully living their commitment to Christ and generously living the Gospel in our country today. “There are challenges arising from the data such as numbers, age, and the future of the good works we have begun. Our changing demographics invite new questions, new possibilities. There is cause for hope in our openness to what God is doing now.”
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Year 9 students experience Outward Bound BERWICK - In the early morning of September 7 over 300 Year 9 students arrived at the Berwick Campus of St Francis Xavier College to begin their Outward Bound experience. Many of the students and some of their parents were feeling apprehensive. Over the previous three months the students had attended information sessions, and met with group leaders to learn about Outward Bound. Nine days later students got off the buses very tired and a little dirty, glad to be home after a strenuous and challenging time in the bush. There were lots of smiling faces as they got off the bus after the long journey home. There were a few tears as they reunited with their parents. Although they all participated in a similar expedition the experience would have been different for each student. The focus of Outward Bound is personal development. The overall aim is to assist young people to learn more about themselves as individuals and as members of a group and a com-
munity. Students are removed from familiar environments and face physical, social, emotional and intellectual challenges. The expedition is action orientated. Groups of approximately 18 students, accompanied by a teacher and Outward Bound instructors navigate through wilderness areas, raft down rivers, climb cliffs and abseil down, undertake initiative activities and service projects while carrying out the daily necessities such as planning and cooking meals, collecting water and firewood and setting up camp each night. Things don’t always go smoothly. The first few days are spent adjusting to the new environment and to other members of the group. Usually after day four, the members of each group learn to live more harmoniously with each other, supporting each other, facing daily challenges and adventures together and taking responsibility for each other’s welfare. There are many highs and lows. Reflection sessions are an
integral part of the process. Outward Bound is an integral component of the Christian Leadership Program at St Francis Xavier College. The specific theme of the Year 9 Outward program is goal setting and preparation for the transition to senior school. Peter Robinson, the co-ordinator of Outward Bound at St Francis Xavier College has found that students become more independent and assertive, more caring for each other and are better able to work together to achieve goals following Outward Bound. In addition they develop a more positive image of themselves and their abilities. The extent of the development of these attributes will vary from person to person. Students may not be conscious of any immediate changes. (However, many parents have attested to the benefits of Outward Bound over the years.) In some cases, the full benefits may not be realised until years later. Past students have told Mr Robinson that they have recalled
STUDENTS rafting down a river as part of Outward Bound. events which have occurred on Outward Bound years later when faced with important life decisions and challenges. In 1995 and in 2005 Students from St. Francis Xavier College participated in research designed to test the benefits of Outward Bound for students’ personal development. The result of these studies
showed that Outward Bound is a powerful intervention which stimulates personal development of students and confirmed the anecdotal evidence accumulated over many years. This year students from the college have again participated in research to determine the impact of the program.
Lavalla welcomes Brazilians Morwell parish welcomes a saint TRARALGON Lavalla Catholic College last month welcomed student visitors and teacher Andrea Mourino from four Marist schools in Brazil. Students came from Collegio Marista De Varginha; St Joseph’s, Rio; Dom Silverio, Belo Honzonte, San Jose, Rio De Janeiro; and Dom Silverio, Sao Jose, Montes Claros. They were here for 12 days and immersed themselves in the life of the school as well as using the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Marist works in Australia. Students visited Lakes Entrance and Phillip Island as well as learning more about our indigenous people at The Keeping Place in Bairnsdale. Lavalla is always keen to develop such an international network and open its doors to the extended Marist family. In 2008 it welcomed musicians from Mexico and each year we are happy to welcome back stu-
LAVALLA principal Erica Pegorer (rear) with visiting Brazilian teacher Andrea Mourino and two of the students. dents from Italy. the connection between the host Families and students learn so families and students from much about the differences and Brazil and other countries similarities of our cultures and remain in our hearts.
MEMBERS of the parish craft group working on the impressive banners which will hang in the two churches.
Iona-Maryknoll CWL branch turns 60 IONA – The Catholic Women’s League’s Iona-Maryknoll branch has celebrated its 60th birthday. Formed in Iona in 1950, it later joined with Maryknoll branch of the Catholic Women’s Social Guild at the wish of Fr Pooley who desired the two groups unite. The anniversary Mass was celebrated by Fr Thomas Mannakulathil in St Joseph’s Church at Iona with committee members taking part as reader, communion minister and in the offertory procession. After morning tea, president Marcia Wilkinson welcomed everyone including Fr Thomas, Sr Jose Nooy, members of the Sale diocesan committee Sr Lynette Young rsj, branch members from Drouin, Trafalgar and Warragul, and two former members from Koo Wee Rup. She gave a short history of the branch and drew attention to a photographic display, press cuttings and memorabilia, Diocesan president Sylvia Neaves congratulated the branch on its anniversary, and awarded years of service badges to members ranging from 10 to 40 years
of service. One founding member Hilda Kavanagh was unable to be present which was unfortunate as she was an extremely active member who has served as president three times and had only retired from the branch this year. It was interesting to learn that Grace Kellaway was also present at the first meeting. Spontaneous applause broke out when life member Peg Tyler arrived. Ill health had forced her to retire from active service after more than 40 years with the branch, including 20 as treasurer, promoter of sales of the Horizon magazine and volunteer at Mary Glowrey House. Her co-volunteer, treasurer Anne Brown received a 20 year badge to acknowledge her considerable input. Other senior members Eileen Barnes, whose mother Mrs Fallon was the first president, Kitty Whelan and Vonnie Lee were presented with flowers arranged by Mary Sayers. Current members and former office bearers Val Feltham and Bernadine O’Connor received 30 year badges. A presentation was made to Sr
CUTTING the cake are (from left) Anne Brown, Marcia Wilkinson, Val Yates and Moira Kelly. Jose Nooy prior to her leaving the parish. Mrs Wilkinson thanked Sr Jose for her support of the league, her care of the sick, spiritual advice, attendance at meetings and a willingness to help in any way possible. A pale blue cake featuring the CWL logo was made by Val Yates and this was cut by Mrs Wilkinson, secretary Moira
Kelly and treasuer Anne Brown. A commemorative bookmark featuring the patroness Our Lady Help of Christians, with current members’ names on the rear was distributed. The Bunyip Singers, who include two members Bernadine O’Connor and Mary Hansen, entertained with a selection of songs.
MORWELL – The Morwell Catholic parish celebrated the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with a packed Mass at Sacred Heart Church on October 17. Fr Peter Bickley blessed the two new pictures of the saint which are being installed in the parish’s two churches. Children from Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s schools carried the pictures into the church, and a list of all the Sisters of St Joseph who had worked in the parish. The names are now being engraved and will be hung in each church as a token of gratitude from the Morwell parishioners. Each primary school student was given an engraved Mary MacKillop coin as a memento and prayers and petitions were collected from parishioners in local nursing homes. Each of the nursing home residents is being given a laminated prayer card. Hanging in both churches are banners designed by Pam Shaw and Val Panther which were made by the parish craft group. After the Mass a barbecue was held in the Sacred Heart school grounds in the evening parishioners watched the canonisation ceremony from Rome.