MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION ISSN 1446-0041 CIRCULATION 6,200 Catholic VOL 23 - NO. 3 SPRING 2014 Viewpoin DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE 100 years of faith…

...LeopoldaSPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC honoured VIEWPOINT - 1 The Bishop Modern Families Speaks I read in The Australian newspaper recently that the together as a unit.” Of course, the children in families Family Law Council has advised the Federal Government are usually biological but they can also be children by that children should be allowed more than two legal adoption or by fostering. parents and that in certain circumstances there should be scope for using the term “significant adults” rather than To this simple and sensible definition the Church ads “parents”. The article quoted the report as saying that that the family is founded on and formed by the marriage “Modern families have become so complex that some of the man and the woman, thus giving to all concerned children consider several adults to be their “parents’’. The children, wife, and husband – the permanency and stability report states “The use of reproductive technologies and required to maximise the possibility for good sound surrogacy to create families has also increased the number relationships, healthy self-development, and a happy of potential parents that a child may have, including a life. There are, of course, what we often call “broken” mix of genetic, gestational, social and intending parents.” families, and other families whose circumstances don’t Recent stories in the news remind us just how complex quite fit the definition, who are very successful families. these situations can become. But the data consistently shows that marriage delivers the best results for both children and parents. The concept of the “Modern Family” has certainly strayed quite a way from the traditional common-sense For instance, the Urban Institute, a well-respected centre- understanding of the family. Just out of interest, and left think tank in Washington DC, published information for the purposes of writing this article, when I googled comparing family structures. In all areas the married “family definition”, the first hit said that a family is “a couple family outperformed other “modern family” group consisting of two parents and their children living structures. On average married couples are happier, healthier, wealthier, enjoy longer lives, and report better

2 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT love lives, than do single, divorced or cohabitating I encourage all people of faith and goodwill to pray for individuals. Children raised in married couple families the success of the upcoming synod. And while bishops in have, on average, higher academic achievement, better Rome discuss how we can assist families in their material, emotional health, and fewer behavioural problems. Just spiritual, moral, and emotional challenges, may we all be in case you have any doubts, do a little internet searching undertaking similar conversations in our Catholic parishes, and discover the statistics that demonstrate that the schools, colleges, and welfare agencies, and more broadly family founded on the marriage of a man and woman in social and political life too. Now is not the time for makes perfect sense. redefining families; now is the time for promoting and assisting families. The future of the Church and society When talking about definitions of the family, it is worth depends upon them. repeating just one statement from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “A man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children, form a family. This institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it. It should be considered the normal reference point by Most Reverend Michael Kennedy which the different forms of family relationship are to be evaluated.” (No 2202) Bishop of Armidale Besides the challenges made today to the very definition and understanding of the family, individual families face many of their own challenges and concerns: mortgages and finances; the cost of living; both parents having to work; finding good babysitters or childcare; work pressures eating into valuable family time; trying to eat dinner together at the table; passing on the faith and the Sunday Mass commitment to children; finding time for family prayer; the many influences entering the home through television and the internet; cyberbullying; the destructive force of pornography upon relationships; the lack of support from a good societal moral structure; PrayerPrayer for the Synod on the Family young people not wanting to marry; being able to say for the Synod on the Family “no” to children; being able to say “sorry” and “I forgive In answer toIn the answer call from to the our call from our you” to each other. And as you know, the list goes on. Holy Father,Holy Pope Father, Francis, Pope we Francis, we pray for all those meeting in These are just some of the real problems faced by real pray for all those meeting in Rome for theRome Synod for the on Synodthe on the modern families. Family. MayFamily. it be May‘a precious it be ‘a precious treasure totreasure enrich tothe enrich Church. the Church. At a time when many western societies are looking again May the MayChurch the undertakeChurch undertake a a at their understanding of marriage and families, Pope true journeytrue ofjourney discernment of discernment and adoptand the adopt necessary the necessary Francis has asked the Church to take another look at pastoral means to help th pastoral means to help families too. In a few weeks, beginning on 5 October, familiesfamilies face their face present their present an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome will hold challengeschallenges with the with light the and light and discussions around the theme “The pastoral challenges strengthstrength that comesthat comes from fromthe the Gospel’. of the family in the context of evangelization”. Just what Gospel’. Jesus,Jesus, Mary, Mary, and and Joseph, Joseph, might the Holy Father hope will be the fruit of these graciously hear our prayer. discussions? The answer may be found in his “Letter to graciously hear our prayer. Extracts from Pope Francis’ ‘Letter to Families” published earlier this year in February. In it Extracts from Pope Francis’ ‘Letter to Families’, 25 February 2014 he said, “May the synod be a precious treasure to enrich Families’, 25 February 2014 the Church. May the Church undertake a true journey of discernment and adopt the necessary pastoral means to help families face their present challenges with the light and strength that comes from the Gospel.” An Extraordinary Synod on the Family. An Extraordinary Synod on the Family. Rome The Synod on the family is not just about the few “hot Rome 5th-19th October 2014. button” issues that the secular media is certain to focus 5th-19th October 2014. Theme: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Theme: “The Pastoral Challenges of the on: divorce, remarriage, and who can be admitted to Holy Family in the Context of Evangelization.” Communion. Pope Francis said this clearly in an interview Family in the Context of Evangelization.” after his trip to the Holy Land in May. The synod, he went on to explain, “will be about the family and the problems it faces; its riches and its current situation.”

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 3 from our Team

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Cyber May the God of peace Create in all an authentic desire Pope for dialogue and reconciliation Violence is never defeated by violence

Barack Obama might have more followers, but Violence is conquered by peace! when it comes to influence, no one can beat the Pope. Let us pray in silence, Despite Barack Obama’s sheer numbers, his account, which is a campaign account, is not the asking for peace; most influential. everyone, in silence That title belongs to Pope Francis.: ‘... @ barackObama tweets are on average retweeted Mary Queen of peace, pray for us! only 1,442 times. By this standard, Pope Francis @Pontifex is by far the most influential tweet with more than 10,000 retweets for every tweet he Pope Francis sends on his Spanish account and 6,462 retweets on average on his English account. Angelus - July 20, 2014

4 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Life spanning a century

Leopolda Figar was born on 16th July 1914 in a small village Leopolda and her husband became Australian Citizens, on the boarder of Austria and Italy called Smartno named after worked hard and brought up their children – gave them a St Martin in what is now Slovenia. She was born under the rule good education and a better life than they had. Leopolda has 2 of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, 12 days before the start of the children, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. 1st World War. Leopolda lived in the Wollongong area until 1999 and then After the 1st World War the borders changed and Smartno came went to live with her family in Inverell. In 2001 she moved to nd under Italian rule. By the 2 World War she was working in Newcastle with them till 2007 and then moved to Tamworth. Rome and became very fluent in the Italian language and way of life. Coming to Tamworth she found she could walk to church - approximately 1km each way. so she would walk to St The war years were very difficult and dangerous. There was Patrick’s each morning in time for the rosary and 9am Mass. one occasion where she was accused by German soldiers for When she was offered a lift to St Patrick’s she would tell her hiding Allied Soldiers in the basement of the house where she daughter she needed the exercise. This she did until she was lived. She had to find the right key to unlock the door in time. 98, when she fell while walking, fractured her pelvis and had Towards the end of the war she returned to her home in Smartno pneumonia. She finally had to admit her age and now only goes and helped the war effort there. Eventually she married and to St Patrick’s once a week on Saturday evenings. settled down and started a family. Life was difficult under the post-war Communist rule of Yugoslavia and eventually Throughout her life and through all her ordeals, Leopolda Leopolda, her husband and two children managed to escape never lost her Catholic faith and God remains her rock in bad across the protected border to Italy. The family were able times as well as the good. to migrate to Australia under the Australian government’s immigration programme. Whilst on his visit to St Patrick’ Parish West Tamworth Bishop Michael Kennedy presented Leopolda with a Papal Blessing Arriving in Australia in 1954, the family was located at on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Fr Ross O’Brien gave her Port Kembla where work was available in the steel industry. a beautiful bouquet on behalf the West Tamworth parish.

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 5 Focus on persecuted Christians

A Voice in the Desert

“It is time to take a principled stand: the situation calls for concrete action, a gesture of solidarity in the face of an existential crisis—‘we will either be or will not be.’” It is an angry condemnation of an indifferent world. The words are unpolished and bitter. They exude disillusionment; they reject a world obsessed with consumption, in awe of comfort, blind to evil and deaf to the cry of the innocent. “In fact, speeches are good for nothing, so too declarations that rehash condemnations and indignation; the same can be said for protest marches.” This leaves the Church alone calling for the unity and the restoration of the religious mosaic that was Iraq. “As for the These words are taken from the letter by Iraq’s Chaldean Church, she finds herself completely alone, more than ever; Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako. It is addressed to Pope Francis, nevertheless her leaders are strongly required to react before it is his fellow prelates leading the Churches in the Middle East too late in applying the necessary pressure on the international and the presidents of Catholic bishops’ conferences around community as well as those other decision-makers in view of the world. He laments the world’s silence about plight of fundamental answers necessary to the scandalous crimes and Christians in his country. What is different about this letter, the destructive conspiracies that affect, above all, unarmed however, is the tone. Over the years the Patriarch has warned, citizens in Iraq, Syria, and in Palestine-Gaza.” cajoled, and appealed. Today he is shouting; a prophetic voice Mark von Riedemann is the International Director of shouting that without immediate international intervention the Communications for Aid to the Church in Need. ancient Christian community of Iraq will cease to exist. The militant Islamists seek to establish a caliphate across the Middle East. These Sunni jihadists embrace a radical form of Islam that echoes the 7th century. Anger at corrupt regimes, the exploitation of oil wealth by the West—and the moral decay of this same West—has engendered an aggressive, regressive ideology, rejecting all that does not coincide with Donate now to support this fundamentalist vision of Islam. Local Christians too have been given an ultimatum: convert to persecuted Christians Islam, pay the ‘jizya’—a tax levied on an Islamic state’s non- Muslim citizens—leave or die. Half a million Christians and Telephone Muslims have fled seeking shelter in Christian villages near Donations by credit card can be made by calling the Kurdish controlled regions in northern Iraq. In his letter, Patriarch Sako is no less stinging in his reproach of the silence (02) 9679-1929 of moderate Muslims: “We are equally shocked and indignant Cheques or Money Orders by the absence of a vigorous position taken by the Muslims and payable to Aid to the Church in Need their religious leaders, not the least because the actions of these PO Box 7246 factions represent a menace for the Muslims themselves.” Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 What does religious persecution look like? from Statement of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue • the slaughter of people solely because of their religious beliefs; • the abhorrent practice of beheading, crucifixion and hanging corpses in public places; • the choice imposed on Christians and Yazidis between conversion to Islam, payment of tax (jizya) or exodus • the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of people, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and the sick; • the kidnapping of girls and women belonging to the Yazidi and Christian communities as war booty; • the imposition of the barbaric practice of infibulation; • the destruction of places of worship and Christian-Muslim mausoleums; • the forced occupation or desecration of churches and monasteries; • the removal of crucifixes and other Christian religious symbols and those of other religious communities; • the abject violence that terrorizes people into surrendering or fleeing.

6 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Focus on persecuted Christians

A personal testimony

In response to Pope Francis’ request for the Church around the world to unite with him in praying for persecuted Christians, Bishop Michael Kennedy asked the priests of the diocese to offer a Mass for Persecuted Christians with their people. On Sunday 16th August Bishop Kennedy, assisted by Deacon Francis Afu, celebrated the special “Mass for Persecuted Christians” with a large congregation in the Armidale Cathedral.

In introducing the Mass Bishop Kennedy said that recent reports of the terrible persecutions in Syria and Iraq, including torture, beheadings and crucifixions, is a timely reminder to us that thousands of Christians live with the real threat of persecution every day. In fact, a Vatican report to the United Nations Human Rights Council said “Credible research has reached the shocking conclusion that an estimate of more than 100,000 Christians are violently killed because of some relation to their faith every year,” Whilst there are many people in the world who suffer in various and terrible ways, Bishop Kennedy stressed that we have a particular duty to pray for and help our brothers and sisters in Christ, for we are united to them through faith and the sacraments. Whilst the prayers of the Mass were very moving, a particular highlight was the homily given by Rev. Deacon Francis Afu who grew up in Nigeria where many Christians are persecuted by militant Islamists. Part of that homily appears below.

On Christmas Day 2011, a group of Islamic Militant detonated In the same vein, it is we who are free that have the obligation a bomb in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Madalla – Nigeria to ask for help for our daughters, our sons, our parents, our while Mass was going on. About 20 people died on the spot brothers and sisters who are being tormented by the powers- while a score of others were badly injured. The country was that-be in the Middle-East and other parts of the world. For torn apart; and the faith of many was challenged. Is there no persecution is torment. So, we have to persist to ask Jesus to religious freedom? Don’t we have the right to express our have mercy on Christians all over the world who are persecuted faith? Why are people killing others in the name of God? for what they believe. These same questions may have been asked by the Israelites Let’s continue to pray that one day our brothers and sisters will some thousand years ago. As we heard in the first reading, worship God in freedom like you and I are worshiping Him Isaiah was sent to give them hope after their return from today. exile. Their pagan neighbours had persecuted them for what they believed and stood for. Isaiah’s prophecy “for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest” was very assuring. But more assuring is the fact that foreigners, those The reality of who persecuted them, will be God’s servants. When we appreciate worship as an essential part of the human persecution person, we will understand fully well the pain and anguish of our brothers and sisters in the Middle-East and other parts of Year Christians Where the world who are deprived of their personhood. We will also 2003 60,000 appreciate the fact that we are free in Australia to worship and Mosul we will take the worship of God seriously. 2014 200 Aren’t we blessed Australians? That we can walk up to the Pre 2003 1,400,000 church and worship God freely without any fear! Think about 2014 300,000 Iraq this fact and think in contrast of those who do not have the freedom we have. Estimate post ISIS 50,000

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“Engaging Young People In the Church” was the topic of a and be willing and able to clearly articulate those beliefs and public lecture presented by Dr. Richard Rymarz, at the Catholic worldview as viable alternatives to the various messages and Schools Office in Armidale. worldviews being presented in the secular world. The Church community needs to be able to walk with the young people in The public lecture hosted as a joint venture between the their questioning and searching offering authentic and sincere Catholic Schools Office and the Broken Bay Institute was well answers and lived witness. The Church community including attended with 65 participants in attendance including 18 who parish, parents and school need to provide a rational and took part via a video conference link set up in the following 3 alternative way forward that helps answer the hard questions school centres – Holy Trinity, Inverell; St. Philomena’s, Moree that young people are asking about life and death. and McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth. Bishop Kennedy, offered a vote of thanks to Professor Rymarz Professor Rymarz currently works in Canada and is the following his presentation. inaugural Peter and Doris Kule Chair in Catholic Religious Education, St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta. He also serves as the Director of Graduate Programs in Religious Education at Newman Theological Seminary in Edmonton. Prior to his work in Canada, Professor Rymarz was a lecture with the Australian Catholic University and retains a connection with this institution as a Visiting Research Professor. Before his work in academia, Professor Rymarz was a high school religious education teacher for 12 year, through which he gained many valuable insights. The basic premise of Professor’s Rymarz’s presentation was that the youth of today – like always are searching for answers for the deeper questions of life and have a great ability to detect insincerity. To engage the youth of today in the Church, Professor Rymarz proposes that we need to have a community that they want to engage with and this community needs to be one in which the questions they have about life can be answered. Why am I here? What should I do? What happens when I die? - these questions of youth, even in the 21st Century are age old. Professor Rymarz’s challenge to the group was that to engage the youth we need to be able to give answers from our heart that are Catholic and present a viable alternative to what the secular world is presenting. As a Church community, the Catholic Church community needs to be strong and clear in its identity, beliefs and world view

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 9 50 years of Caritas

Fr Paul Mahony at St Marys Gunnedah Project Compassion began in Adelaide in the Lent of 1964 with In this 50th year of Project Compassion I congratulate and money for the poor being collected in small cardboard boxes. thank our bishops, priests, religious, the parishioners, the In 1966 the collection spread to all Dioceses in Australia. school students and their teachers who by their prayers and financial support have brought hope and justice to so many. In the Armidale Diocese the responsibility of distributing and collecting the boxes fell to Father Satterthwaite, later Bishop Contributed by Brian Sullivan Diocesan Director of Caritas Satterthwaite who was Bishop Doody’s secretary. When Father Ron Perrett became Bishop Freeman’s secretary in 1969 he inherited the task. In 1980 Father Ron became the Diocesan Director and he has fond memories of travelling around the Diocese promoting Project Compassion. He took with him some very impressive visitors including Father Brian Gore from the Philippines. Father Ron is still remembered for his passion and enthusiasm in promoting social justice. In 1996 Father Ron enlisted three retired school teachers, Irene Grace, John and Anne Fittler to assist distributing the Project Compassion material and promoting it through the schools. In 1998 John took over as Diocesan Director of Caritas Australia. He built up a team which visited every school in the Diocese. In 1998 he visited Cambodia to observe the work of Caritas in this war ravaged and impoverished country. For him the experience was very positive as he saw how a small amount of well-directed aid could transform the lives of the poor. In 2001 I joined John’s team and in 2002 I took over as Diocesan Director. The highlights of my period as director have been the amazing response to the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and my visit Fr Ron & Fr Brian Gore to Bangladesh in 2003 to observe the projects being funded by Caritas Australia. I found this a life changing experience. It is a great privilege to be the face of Caritas in this Diocese. Guided by gospel values it brings assistance and justice to the poorest of the poor while treating them as partners. As well as providing disaster relief and funding for self-help development programs Caritas is not afraid to be an advocate for those who are treated unjustly. Caritas Australia now distributes over $40m annually to support programs in over 30 countries. The people in the Diocese of Armidale can be very proud of their record with contributions of around $120, 000.00 per year coming from every school and parish. Fr Ron, Irene, Anne & John

10 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Bishop goes to prison

Bishop Michael Kennedy recently visited Tamworth in the prison. I told him that I tell them about who God is and Correctional Centre. The visit was arranged by Deacon Peter that they need to get to know him. I talk about prayer and the Harrison with Michael Page at the Correctional Centre. importance of it. Bishop was keen to see the prison. He gained a greater It is important to give them hope and with God there is great understanding of how a Prison works and thanked Michael and hope and they do have alternatives. I am often told by many people the team for their hospitality. why do you bother as there is no hope. I say because Almighty God wants his Deacon the servant to care for the lost sheep that Deacon Harrison stated “Bishop was able to see what I do as a are depressed, angry and in some cases scared. When they see me Prison Chaplain. He asked me lots of questions about my work they often call out Hello Pete.” PILGRIMAGES

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SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 11 My Story - Mai Nguyen-Doan

It is a gift and treasure to arrive in Australia and become a environment. I find myself very privileged to continue the Sister of Mercy, but the journey is a mystery. work which Catherine McAuley started in the early nineteenth century. I escaped Vietnam with my younger brother in 1990 and we were repatriated to Vietnam in 1994. In the refugee camps, we were educated by three Australian Sisters of Mercy. In late 1996, I was sponsored to Australia as a returned refugee. I thought of the Sisters, but I only remembered their names. In 2007, I bought a DVD, a documentary about Vietnamese refugees going back to visit the camps in Malaysia and Indonesia. Unexpectedly, I saw the three Sisters in the DVD and through a parish Priest reconnected with the Sisters again. My early childhood awareness of my desire to explore religious life was fulfilled by the mystery of this reconnection, which led to my immersion in the Initial Formation Program from 2008 and to my First Profession of vows in August 2013. I did not have to find out what Mercy is all about before I decided to join the Sisters of Mercy because the image and presence of the three Sisters in my heart had given me all the information I needed.

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12 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Trip down memory lane

Sr. Geraldine Maher; Sr. Shirley King; Kath Long; Shirley Chandler; Marie Southwell; Barbara Hooker; Madelene Hayes On leaving Tamworth the Dominican Sisters declared they about and how we express that passion, then in true Dominican would continue to meet with ex-students and friends on a Bi- spirit we became preachers to each other as we spoke of Annual basis. So it was that 11 sisters travelled to Tamworth participation in caring for the environment, animal welfare, recently to remember and celebrate with ex-students and people in prison, the homeless, those with addictions, Asylum friends the gift of Dominican life lived in Tamworth since Seekers and Refugees, those with Mental Illness. 1876. There was much energy in the room and our world is a better This of course enabled all to take a trip down memory lane place for all these women living their Baptismal call to be with the usual laughter, tinged with sadness, for what had been. bearers of God’s Good News. Sunday morning found us Perhaps the significant part of the day belonged to the time gathering again this time at the Family Mass at St. Nicholas’ spent Keeping the Spirit Alive. In table groups we were invited and then for those who wished the opportunity to take a walk to consider the values we had passed on to us at school and through the ‘Old Convent’ and boarding school – now the then to reflect on those values in the light of how we are living Conservatorium. We look forward to gathering again in 2016 today. All were invited to consider what we are passionate – 800 years since the promulgation of the Dominican Order.

BACK: Kath Maher; June Peck; Ann Keys; Doreen Elsmore; Jenny Gerathy FRONT: Shirley King; Mary Campion; Patricia Bundock; Rosemary Lewins The well attended reunion enjoying hospitality

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 13 All is grace - Deacon Francis Afu’s ordination

It is amazing how God works. “He writes straight on crooked Being a single mother, I remember her struggling everyday of lines”, the Irish say. And “He makes a way where there seems her life to live by example. She made sure I had the best of to be no way”. St Mary of the Cross puts it beautifully well education and I had a future. when she said “you never know what grace can do”. Looking back I can tell for sure that the words are very true. His grace Mum was not so excited when I told her I was going to the has brought me this far. seminary. At the same time, she was not sad. All she was worried about was my happiness. When I left the seminary in About 3 years ago, I never for once thought I would be in 2009 after completing two Bachelor’s Degrees in Philosophy Australia let alone be ordained for the Church in Oceania. and Theology, mum welcomed me home warmly and helped Australia was not my dream country to visit, neither was it a me to reintegrate into the secular society. She prayed with and place I had ever thought of to live and be part of it. I first heard for me during this time. of Australia from a work colleague who studied in Canberra. I was scared with his stories of kangaroos everywhere like flies I worked for four years with two big ICT companies in Nigeria. in summer. It was in one of my business trips to South Africa that I felt the urge to consider the priesthood again. It all happened while But my perception changed when Fr. Henry Ibe, a Nigerian, I was dining and wining with friends in South Africa. In the ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga visited midst of the large crowd, a lady walked up to me and said, Nigeria in 2011 and told me “how green Australia is”. His “You don’t behave like us.” And to my greatest shock, she stories of Australia were inspiring. Being a Business Developer asked “if I had been in a seminary before.” I refused to answer at the time, I immediately picked the missionary opportunities her. Immediately I walked back into my hotel room. in Australia. As providence would have it, I arrived in Australia on 9th May 2013. I spent the night for the first time after a couple of months praying the Rosary and asking for God’s guidance. It was not 9th has been a remarkable date in my life. I was born on 9th of long after than I ran into Fr. Ibe through whom I contacted November 1980. I was admitted into the Major Seminary on Bishop Kennedy. I strongly believe it was God’s favour that 9th of October 1999. I got my first corporate job in Technology Bishop Kennedy accepted me and brought me to Australia. Distribution Africa on 9th of November 2010 and was ordained a deacon on 9th of July 2014. God’s grace has also made my stay in Australia fruitful and happy. I have happy memories that keep me going with smiles I had a great upbringing. Mum was always there for me and my that brightened every day of my life. To say the least, I trust I three siblings. She introduced me to the Catholic Faith and; she am in the right place with the right people and at the right time. instilled in me “the-be-happy-attitude”. For her, happiness is Not because I am so wonderful, but because God’s grace has choice. I have to choose to be happy and want it so badly that made it so. For all is Grace. I trade everything for it. This lesson is very green in my mind.

14 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT All is grace - Deacon Francis Afu’s ordination

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 15 Around and About

1st Holy Communion Wee Waa 21 children made their First Communion in St. Andrew’s Church, Wee Waa in a beautiful family celebration. The children, from St. Joseph’s School, Burren Junction and Wee Waa Public Schools and the Namoi Valley Christian School, participated with reverence in all aspects of the liturgy and concluded the celebration by enthusiastically singing and signing the John Burland song “Come to the Table.” The candidates and their families joined the rest of the parishioners for morning tea in the church grounds, where Fr. Paul Aguilar helped them cut their celebration cake.

Running jumping success In glorious weather conditions St Joseph’s School Glen Innes held the annual athletics carnival. A huge contingent gathered to watch the students. Some great individual efforts saw many records fall. Satara Speedy won the 12 years Long Jump breaking a record that has been held since 1982. Julianna Panebianco broke the 5 years 100m and 200m sprints record, William Wright broke the record for 5 years 100m and 200m sprints and Halle Sharman equalled the 8 years High Jump record. The crowd was also given plenty of other reasons to cheer with some fierce competition seeing a number of very close races (some even ending in dead heats) and the infant’s ball games and relay were a real highlight. Great performances on the day meant 37 students represented St Joseph’s at the Armidale Diocesan Carnival.

Walgett celebrates Bishop Kennedy travelled out from Armidale to celebrate the special Confirmation Mass with the children. The students were very excited to have the Bishop visit them at school and to also spend some time with the Confirmation candidates. We have also had 6 students make their First Holy Communion. The students had spent a couple of weeks preparing at school and were most excited on the day of the Mass. With the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross, the whole school had a large focus on the life of Mary Mackillop and how to use her work as a model for our own lives. A Mass was celebrated on the feast day honouring Mary Mackillop and Sister Lorraine who is a Josephite nun working in our parish.

16 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Around and About Canberra bound - St Mary of the Angels 12 very excited Year 5/6 students recently set off on their long anticipated Canberra excursion. Their week was jam packed with lots of fun activities, including visits to Wellington Cave, The International Aquatic Centre, Australian Institute of Sport, Royal Australian Mint, Questacon, Government House, The National Dinosaur Museum, National Zoo & Aquarium, Parliament House, the Electoral Educational Centre, Australian War Memorial, the Canberra Deep Space Complex, Black Mountain Tower and Dubbo Gaol.

In the lead up to this excursion, the students have been covering topics on Federation and how this has led to Australia being a democratic country. A highlight of the trip was their visit to the Electoral Educational Centre where the students conducted their very own election.

Inky Award Judge St Philomena’s School is excited to find out that one of their students is successful in her application to become an Inky Awards Judge. The Inky Awards are arguably the greatest book awards chosen by teenagers in Australia and the grade 7 student, Claudia Gibson, plays an influential role in them this year as it is her job to work out the shortlists to be voted upon. She will do this in an online, collaborative environment with only five other teenage judges from across Australia, and after reading the twenty long listed books that cover two categories - current international and Australian fiction for young adults. Locally, Claudia’s involvement in the Inkies will contribute to a further building of a quality reading collection available for Secondary students in the School Library, where she was spotted for her avid reading and encouraged to apply to be a judge. Claudia’s achievement is a shining example of how a passion followed by determination can result in fantastic things. Learning about government St Joseph’s Uralla students were enthusiastic participants in the recent Uralla Shire Council Open Day. The whole school visited the displays at the Uralla Visitors Centre where they enjoyed biscuit decorating, watching the trained dog display, getting up close to the large machinery and learning more about waste recycling. They also enjoyed the hospitality provided by the Council – sausage sizzles and homemade cakes! Our senior students were very interested in their visit to the Council Chambers where they received some of the finer points from the Mayor and other councillors. Understanding of the different levels of government is of special interest to our Year 5 and 6 students as they prepare for their trip to our nation’s capital, Canberra, next term. All students returned to school with a “show bag” of goodies and a new appreciation for what their local council does for our community.

St Joseph’s Uralla captains Lara Walters and Paige Reddon with) Councillor Bob Crouch, Mayor Michael Pearce and Councillor Kevin Ward.

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 17 Quirindi Triple Celebration

Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart attended the Mass and luncheon on Sunday 7th September It was the combination of 3 milestones for St Brigid’s Parish, Quirindi that proved the real worth of recent thanksgiving celebrations. Parishioners welcomed those who came to remember and give thanks for the many blessings received in honouring 125 years of the Parish, 126 years since the arrival of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, and 50 years since the inception of the Quirindi branch of the Catholic Women’s League.

The foundation for the celebrations was Fr Roel Llave’s words “As we decide on and conceptualise the events and activities, we need to reflect on the spiritual side of the celebrations. We need to think about how it will help us nurture our faith and become an instrument for others to rekindle their past contributions to the catholic faith community of Quirindi Parish, and as a result nurture their own faith in God.” Bishop Michael on tour around town It was fitting that the Thanksgiving ceremonies began at the Quirindi cemetery on Saturday morning with a Mass of remembrance for our forefathers who handed down to us their faith and heritage.

After the Mass, the St Joseph’s Parish Centre (formally the Convent) was the ‘welcome place’ for visitors to view rooms filled with memorabilia of the presence of the Sisters in Quirindi. Great interest was shown in the photos of the Sisters who had lived in the Convent from 1931 to 2011. Wayne Irwin has devoted many hours working towards the collecting and setting up of memorabilia.

The Josephite Associates provided morning tea for visitors to the Centre. A display of entries and judging of the children’s photography competition with the theme “My Faith in Bishop Michael arrived in sulky Quirindi” took place at the Parish Centre. Winners of the categories each received a Bible suitable for their age groups.

The celebrations then moved to the Fr Stan Campbell Hall, where the memories and laughter continued to flow over lunch. Old photos telling the story of the Parish were arranged in the hall and proved a popular topic of conversation.

Following the Vigil Mass, a dinner was held organised by the Quirindi Branch of Catholic Women’s League. Special guests included Diocesan President Deirdre Andren who represented State President Moya Potts. Although small in membership, the CWL continue to be an active and enthusiastic group within the Parish. It was very fitting that two life members, Mrs Sheila McNamara and Mrs Doris Press, were invited to cut the celebration cake, assisted by two foundation members, Mrs Joy Turner and Mrs Frances Evans, who returned to Quirindi to enjoy the weekend of activities.

The highlight for the Parish was the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday. Bishop Michael Kennedy presided at the celebration of the Eucharist with Father Roel Llave PP and visiting priests Fr Roel, Cutting the Celebration Cake is Mrs Sheila McNamara, Mrs Connie Tagett & Mrs Doris Press

18 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Quirindi Triple Celebration

from the Diocese. Bishop Michael arrived at the church in horse drawn carriage driven by Bill Greer, after which Sister Margaret Cusack sang a Hymn to Mary MacKillop as a welcome before Mass.

Parish community and visitors remembered and prayed in gratitude to give thanks for the spiritual gifts received. Four banners hung from the side altars, representing Parish, Sisters, Catholic Women’s League and St Joseph’s Primary School.

At the conclusion of Mass a lunch was held in the Church grounds. Fr Llave, welcomed and thanked Two inaugural members of Quirindi Branch of CWL Mrs Frances Evans & Mrs Joy everyone who came to join in the celebrations with Turner with Mrs Deirdre Andren Diocesan Pres CWL. the greater parish community, including the Sisters, returning parishioners and students, visiting families and friends and Bishop Kennedy.

Father Roel also launched “Snippets of Parish History”, which is a collection of articles, photos and items. This book was put together as a memento for the thanksgiving celebration and book proved very popular.

During the lunch, a presentation was made to Fred and Marie Lawson for their work in designing and making a tartan which is now registered as “St Brigid’s Tartan” with the Scottish Registry of Tartans. The tartan depicts the colours of St Brigid, the Sisters of St Joseph and the Catholic Women’s League. Items made from the tartan, such as knee St Brigid’s Thanksgiving Mass. rugs, shawls, scarves and ties, were sold on the day.

Entertainment by a small choir of children entertained those gathered with three songs including “We Are One”, and was followed by 2 Irish Sisters giving with some Irish verse and singing.

To end the day, a celebration cake was cut by Mrs Connie Taggart (Taylor), the oldest resident of the Parish. Connie was born in Quirindi, attended St Joseph’s Convent school and has lived all her life here in St Brigid’s Parish.

It has been a time to remember.

Bishop Kennedy, Fathers Castelli O’Brien, Suresh, Curren,Llave concelebrate thanksgiving Mass

Receiving the Papal Blessing from Bishop Kennedy. Mrs Miss Melissa’s Singers Pat Perkins and Mr John Clery

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 19 Around and About Back to school The recent visit of Professor Richard Rymarz to Armidale provided an opportunity for the Religious Education Coordinators from the diocesan schools to attend a special in- service. Prior to moving to his current role with the University of Alberta, Professor Rymarz had 12 years experience as a high school religion teacher and this provided him with valuable insights to share with those in a similar role within our schools. The visit to Armidale was part of a welcome return home to Australia for this Canada based academic. Professor Rymarz in living in Edmonton with his wife and three younger children. His eldest daughter remained at home in Australia.

Baptised Congratulations to Jasmine Cuell and Nicholas Moodie who were baptised into the Catholic Church at St Patrick’s Parish Warialda. Father Bernie Frize and Mrs Guest for organised the beautiful ceremony. It was a lovely opportunity to be a faith community. The shared morning tea was a reminder that all our families were there in spirit and everyone’s contributions were appreciated. May God bless Jasmine and Nicholas over the course of their lives.

Warialda Reconciliation 12 children from St Joseph’s School Warialda, Warialda Primary school and Gravesend have made their First Reconciliation. It was a lovely service held in the church and the children participated fully. Afterwards, everyone gathered at the school to share some cake, supper and the children received their certificates. Thank you to all those who helped prepare and support the children in the lead up to their First Reconciliation. Congratulations to Logan Biddle, Kayley Mintoff, Isaac Armstrong, Mardi Klingner, Allan Johnson, Toby Bell, Liliana Reardon, Flo Armstrong, Frank Reardon, Jasmin Briggs, Jasmine Cuell and Matilda Barwick.

20 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Around and About

St Albert’s College Overall the St. Albert’s College students enjoyed giving back to the community and volunteering their time to help out locally Giving back to the community and their hard work was greatly appreciated. Each year the students at St Albert’s College Armidale, give While the students also do fundraising for charities such as up a lot of their free time to help the local community and “Buy a Bale, “Beyond Blue” to raise money for charities. Earlier in the year our students were involved in Clean up Australia as well as helping collect and Freeman House, it is in Albies week that they aim to move money for the Red Shield. out to the community to help. During Albie’s week, groups of students descended on a number of localities to help. This is a time that enables the whole college to engage in a range of community service and social events throughout the week and the chance to give back to the community that has served us well throughout the year. During the week a group of Albies students went to St Mary and Joseph’s Cathedral and completed a clean up and helped move items to a new location. Another group of students offered their skills to O’Connor Catholic College and helped tidy the grounds and spread mulch throughout the gardens whilst other students tidied up the grounds at St Mary’s Catholic School. Further groups of Albies students ventured to Guyra to face the freezing winds while doing a massive Winter garden clean up at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church grounds. Advertise with Viewpoint

MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION ISSN 1446-0041 CIRCULATION 6,200 Catholic VOL 23 - NO. 1 MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN AUTUMN 2014 CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION ISSN 1446-0041 DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE CIRCULATION 6,200 iewpoin VOL 23 - NO. 2 Catholic MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN Viewpoint is an A4 size, full colour, quarterly publication CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION WINTER 2014 V ISSN 1446-0041 DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE CIRCULATION 6,200 iewpoin V VOL 22 - NO. 4 Catholic SUMMER 2013 • each edition being published seasonally iewpoin DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE V From Rome to Wee Waa • A wide distribution throughout the Diocese With • free of charge Holy Water…

EBRATIN EL G • available in every parish and school in the diocese C 2014 1974 40 • linked to the Diocesan website YEARS Fr John Carey, 40AUTUMN years 2014an ADIG - CATHOLIC Board VIEWPOINT Member! - 1

...weWINTER 2014 - CATHOLIC bless VIEWPOINT - 1 A relic of Blessed John Paul II • All advertisements will be full colour SUMMER 2013 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 1 • To know more: (note: front and back covers not available) talk to Julie 02 6772 4971 or • 10% discount if you advertise for a full year – four issues. email [email protected]

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 21 Catechists – Agents of Evangelisation sharing the Joy of the Gospel The mission of evangelisation is very much the work of the more than qualified. Catechists are ordinary people with Parish catechist or State School Special Religious Education an extraordinary message. Our parish catechists are made (SRE) teacher – they are agents of evangelisation sharing the up of professionals, retirees, mums and dads, shy people and joy of the Gospel with students in their classes. The work of the brave alike, with one thing in common – a commitment to catechist is love in action. It is sharing the good news, the joy share God’s love. of God’s love with young children that may never have heard it before. “Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ.” (EG#49) This area of State School catechetics is an area of great need throughout our Diocese. A recent document issued by the Australian Catholic Council for Pastoral Research from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, analysing the 2011 Australian Census figures and providing a Diocesan Social Profile reported that according to the 2011 census data there were 2206 Catholic students attending a Government Primary school and 2087 Catholic students attending a Government secondary school within the Diocese of Armidale. This year 2014, we currently have 170 catechists and assistants reaching out to 1993 students in Government Primary and Secondary schools—approximately half the number of students.

Are you able to assist as a Parish catechist, an SRE Teacher? In his exhortation Pope Francis makes an appeal to all baptised persons to bring Christ’s love to others. One way in which we can respond to that call is through the ministry of State School SRE lessons. While it is true that this ministry isn’t for everyone, if you are committed to your faith and have around an hour each week to prepare and teach a class then you are

Office: 02 6772 7388 Mr. Rickie Withers Mobile: 0429 466 872 Diocesan CCD Coordinator Email: [email protected]

22 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT CWL activity around the Diocese Fifteen members of Catholic Women’s League from Tamworth Armidale Gunnedah and Quirindi branches attended the State Conference of Catholic Women’s League held in Coffs Harbour recently. The theme of the Conference was ‘Peace and Justice’ something we need to pray for in these troubled times overseas. Members are also preparing for our Diocesan Conference which will be held in Gunnedah at the Parish Centre on 11th/12th October. Guest speaker at the Conference dinner will be Fr. Suresh from East Tamworth Parish. Armidale and Guyra Branch invited Mr Geoff Johnston to talk on Egypt the Country of Study this year. Geoff is passionate about Egypt, particularly the Pharaohs and their burial pyramids. He also gave those present and insight into present day Egypt. Anyone interested in joining Catholic Women’s League – we have branches in Armidale, Gunnedah, Guyra, Moree, Quirindi, Moree and Warialda, please contact Deirdre Andren on 6742 2912 for information on branch contacts. Deirdre Andren, Diocesan President

Our Digital Heritage Across the Diocese - can you help?

Would you like to help students in our Catholic schools explore the past and explain how people, events and forces from the past have shaped our world? Everyone has history to share. Sadly many of our stories are in danger of being forgotten and sit yellowing in drawers. Wouldn’t it be great to pass these snapshots of the past on to future generations?

We are particularly interested in collecting photos that feature local buildings, landmarks and celebrations. Contributing to the project is easy. If you are handy with technology, scan and email these images to us. If not, simply send your photos with your name and address clearly marked. If you know anything about the background of the photo, please attach a note explaining where and when it was taken. These photos will be photographed (digitised) and then added to our very own Historypin archive, available for students and teachers throughout our Diocese to use. All images and descriptive content will be open to the public domain and free for all to use as they wish. After your images have been uploaded they will be returned to you. Post contributions to Stephanie Stachan Catholic Schools Office 182 Rusdent St Armidale or email [email protected]

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Contact Us From the Editor Spring is here. We hope your enjoy this edition of Catholic Viewpoint and it’s Phone: 67724971 been a very busy winter for most parishes. Thank you to everyone who has Email: viewpoint@armidale. contributed in some way to this edition. We look forward to all submissions catholic.org.au for the summer edition which close 10th November. Postal: PO Box 93, Cheers Julie Armidale NSW 2350

24 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT A healthy baby

Nowadays expectant parents are pretty sure they are having a blurted out “it would only have made me unhappy sooner.” boy or a girl long before their baby is born. So they don’t need Because at that moment the immense joy there had been at the to speculate about which sex they “want” nor spend months birth of our daughter rather evaporated. We were being forced hoping specifically for either a boy or a girl. But regardless of into very unfamiliar territory – and certainly down a path we their ‘preference’, I imagine first and foremost that expectant would not have chosen to travel. parents today still have that age old desire -- to have a “healthy baby”. And for the vast majority of parents, that hope is News of our daughter’s birth spread like wild fire. A young realised. But what happens when one is told their newborn has woman we knew, who had an older sister (with a disability) a medical issue? approached my husband to ask if our new baby was disabled. His response still warms my heart. He said, “we are all Over forty years ago (long before ultrasound scans were disabled; it’s just more obvious with some than others.” I think commonplace), I remember praying earnestly for a boy and we were “lucky” in that I had many years of experience as a was delighted when my firstborn was a boy. Then twenty six mother to draw upon and our daughter had older brothers who years ago when my youngest was born a girl I was over the doted upon her. They were eager participants in her physio moon. She could have had two heads for all I cared, because and hydro therapies. They didn’t cut her any slack either. She after seven pregnancies, five live births and four sons, I finally learned early if she “played dumb” someone would do things got a daughter! I reckoned God had heard my earnest prayer for her – but that tactic never worked with any of her brothers! all those years ago and figured if I had wanted a boy that much, That’s not to say the boys didn’t cop a lot of stick from ill- then boys I should have. That whole ‘be careful what you wish informed school ‘mates’. I was called to school once because for’ saying took on real meaning for me. #2 son had been in a fight – something to do with name calling. It never occurred to me that my first baby would be anything Hopefully my son learned that violence is not a solution – and other than healthy. After all I was a normal, healthy woman hopefully the other boy learned something as well. and expected I would have a normal, healthy pregnancy and be delivered of a normal, healthy baby. Perhaps I have always Prejudice is probably the biggest barrier we face. People’s been a proponent of positive thinking. Or perhaps I was preconceived notions and ignorance colour their responses operating from youthful ignorance because I had never known when confronted by disability. I look at my daughter and see a different outcome. all the ‘normal’ things she can do rather than all the things she finds challenging. Perhaps that is a bit of rose-coloured tinting So when I was woken after a very few hours of sleep to be but if I have learned anything in the past 26 years, it is that my told my newborn daughter was ‘turning blue’ – I immediately cup is half full, not half empty. Am I glad my daughter was feared she had heart problems – and as I scurried to the nursery born – you betcha! Our lives were altered monumentally. It to see her, I prayed that whatever was wrong could be ‘fixed’. has been full on – and will continue to be so till the day we die. It was many hours later before the paediatrician surprised us Despite discrimination reforms, enlightenment is still a long with the news that our daughter had Down Syndrome and most way off. But I live in the hope people will stop judging others probably the “hole in the heart” characteristic common to such and instead look to recognise Christ in whoever they meet. babies. It was with a numbness that my response to the doctor’s question, “at your age why didn’t you have amnio?” that I Contributed by Mary O’Flynn

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 25 St Gerard Majella is known as the patron of mothers and St Gerard Majella motherhood, protector of expectant mothers and their unborn children. He is also known for helping infertile couples to conceive. Saint for Mothers A useful resource on St Gerard is a website maintained by the Redemptorists of the Denver Province. It contains information on St Gerard, helpful resources and details on a novena to St Gerard. Updated with newsletters and articles it includes a prayer of the week like this one for fathers. http://www.themotherssaint.org/ Prayer for all the dads Lord, today we remember and pray for all the dads who, with their wives, share the vocation to cooperate in the ongoing work of creation. May they be faithful, respectful and loving husbands to their wives and the mothers of their children. May they always have ears to hear and listen respectfully to what their wives are really saying. May they be patient, kind, gentle but firm, understanding and generous with their children. May they be committed to their co-workers’ well-being, to peace and the betterment of society and the environment. Lord, please help all fathers to be good and decent human beings, truly capable of imitating your great love for all creation. May Saint Gerard be always an example worthy of imitation, especially in his seeking to do God’s will in all things.

Amen.

26 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT A Parent Perspective

My mother turned ninety on the 30th of June this year. Some What I unearthed did not have the allure of rebels and Ned but of you might remember that I have written before of her older a much more prosaic story, a story that would be a common years and the dementia that has now overtaken her life. My one in Australia. I discovered that the first of my family family and I travel this road with her, sometimes with sadness to arrive in New South Wales arrived in 1829; he had been when she looks and me and asks “and who do you belong to, convicted of housebreaking in Dublin and sentenced to seven dear?”, sometimes with anger at the loss of dignity that is a part years transportation to the other side of the world. From that of her life now, sometimes with gratitude for the life she has start, which Mum said couldn’t be true and not to repeat it, had and the six children she gave life to, and sometimes with the family turned from a life of crime and we can include a laughter. One of the occasions for laughter was a few weeks High Court Judge, a State Member of Parliament, two priests, before her birthday. I was visiting her in Sydney and reminded lots of dairy farmers and generations of Australians who have her of the big day that was coming up. “How old will you be had good lives in the place we all call home. The Gallipoli Mum?” I asked. She thought about it and replied “I don’t think uncle turned out to have lost his young life on the Western I can be sixty yet”. I told her she would be ninety but of course Front, blown away in the mud and the horror in 1917. I was she didn’t believe me so I decided that if not being sixty yet able to show Mum a photo of his name on a Memorial. I made her smile then it was fine with me. After all she just am glad I told Mum the family history as I discovered it, she knocked thirty years off my age as well! was interested and proud, except of the original Australian McGuire the convict, because now she cannot remember all of One of my regrets has been that I know very little about my her children, she cannot remember my father died 29 years ago family history. I knew, of course, that my family was Irish. and looks for him to visit her. I would not be able to have the With names like McNamara, McGuire and Walsh we could same conversations with her that I had two years. hardly be anything else. The family story had always been that I am now looking forward to travelling to Ireland to visit some we arrived in the wake of the Great Famine in 1852; the only of the places that were the original homes of my ancestors. I other history was that Mum had an uncle who had fought and love my Irish heritage, I love reading the history of that divided died in Gallipoli. And so a few years ago I started talking to land, and now I love having the story of my family from there Mum about any stories or anecdotes or family rumours. What to here. As, I write this I am listening to Eric Bogle, one of I wanted to do was to be able to share the family story with my favourite folk singers, singing his song of Shelter, singing of girls, the girls who all took the name of an Irish saint for their our Dreamtime place where the restless and the weary find safe Confirmation. Mum actually had a version of the family tree harbour on our shores. Truly this has to be one of the anthem that a distant cousin had prepared. I used this as a starting point songs of our immigrant nation. but found the references to rebels, Ned Kelly and the diggings a little farfetched and unlikely. Catherine Ible

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 27 28 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Alternative to Schoolies Immersion Programme

Mark Smith from Catholic Mission in Sydney visited McCarthy Catholic College in Tamworth, O’Connor Catholic College Armidale and St Marys College, Gunnedah to provide information about an Alternative to Schoolies Trip for students in year 12 in 2015. It is envisioned to have a group of year 12 students in 2015 from the three high schools to immerse themselves in the cultures of Fiji and Kiribati for 11 days from November 27 –December 8, 2015. For further expressions of interest please contact Mark Smith on 9919-7800 or Linda Hanrahan 6771-3517. Kate Rayment- Principal of McCarthy Catholic College, Linda Hanrahan - Catholic Mission, Daniel McDonald, Emma Marnes, Mark Smith – Catholic Mission, Ruth Makwara and James Wong and Monsignor Wilkes

This year, parishioners and school children across Australia many of the Jamaican youth born into the ghettos, they know are invited, as part of the Catholic Mission World Mission chances are high that they will never achieve their dreams Appeal, to reach out to support the crucial work of the or that their life will be cut short as a result of the violence. Jamaican Catholic Church in helping people turn away from Together we can help the youth of Jamaica, and throughout violence and crime to seek a new future through the power of the world, grow up to be fully alive, and achieve their dreams education and the spirit of Jesus Christ. of a positive and hope-filled future. Sadly Jamaica is a nation deeply troubled by violence and crime. With the second-highest rate of gun-killings anywhere World Mission Sunday is 19 October 2014 and fundraising in in the world, communities across Jamaica live in constant fear. the Catholic Schools is during the month of October, please To just be alive might seem like a simple dream to us, but for give generously.

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 29 DIOCESE STORE LOCATIONS SUPA IGA ARMIDALE SUPA IGA TAMWORTH Cnr Beardy & Dangar St., Cnr Robert Rd & Links Ave., Armidale, 2350, NSW Tamworth, 2340, NSW 02 6772 3853 02 6765 8552

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Crossing of the forehead, lips, and heart before the Gospel reading Just before the Gospel reading, the celebrant leads us in the gesture with our thumbs making the sign of the cross on our foreheads, lips and hearts. As early as the ninth century, the faithful were making the sign of the cross on their forehead and breast at the reading of the Gospel. Then, in the 11th century, we find the deacon and the faithful making the sign of the cross on the forehead, mouth, and breast after the words “A reading of the holy gospel . . .” (Jungmann, Mass of the Roman Rite). According to Jungmann, The original idea of this signing of oneself is probably indicated in the scriptural text frequently cited in this connection, the quotation about the wicked enemy who is anxious to take the seed of the word of God away from the hearts of in this book we are willing to stand up with a mind that is hearers (Mark 4:15). . . . But another explanation takes over by open, we are ready to confess it with our mouth, and above degrees; an ever-increasing stress is placed on the readiness all we are determined to safeguard it faithfully in our hearts. to acknowledge God’s word with courage. . . . The meaning is (CIN-Origin of the Sign of the Cross, Father Mateo, July 28, this: For the word which Christ brought and which is set down 1991)

Meeting the Holy Father In 1992, Father Castelli and his housekeeper whilst in Glen Innes and Mungindi met with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II after a concelebrated Mass with the Pope, forty priests and forty nuns and lay people in his private chapel. The Pope gave his usual gift of Rosary Beads, and indicating to Joan he said to Father Castelli “Your mother?” Knowing the Holy Father would have given her a special blessing if he had yes, he had to answer “No my housekeeper”. At a special Mass in the Armidale Cathedral a few years ago Joan Bayley received Papal Honours, as a true daughter of the Church and especially for her many years as a devoted housekeeper to the Priests of the Diocese.

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CCI CatholicViewpoint printAdSPRING JUN14.indd 1 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT29/05/2014 3:55:39 - PM31 Bishop’s Major Events

SEPTEMBER 2014 13th Knights of the Southern Cross State Conference Gunnedah 14th Confirmation Gunnedah 16th Caritas Fiftieth Anniversary Mass Tamworth 16th Council of Priests and Consultors Tamworth 17th -18th Clergy Assembly Tamworth 18th Catholic Schools Celebrate Tamworth 19th Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Commission Armidale 19th O’Connor Catholic College Year 12 Assembly Armidale 24th – 27th Plenary Assembly for Eucharistic Congress Rome OCTOBER 2014 7th Our Lady of the Rosary, Diocesan Patroness Armidale 8TH Centacare Board Tamworth 8th St Alberts Board Armidale 10th Catholic Schools New Employees Day Armidale 11th -12th Visitation Dungowan 17th – 19th Visitation and Confirmation Tenterfield 22nd NSW Catholic Education Commission Sydney 25th– 26th Confirmation Glen Innes NOVEMBER 2014 1ST All Saints Day Armidale 2nd All Souls Day Armidale 7th – 9th Visitation and Confirmation Wee Waa 10th – 14th Diocesan Clergy Retreat Bellingen 19th NSW Catholic Education Commission Sydney 22nd ADIG Board Armidale 23rd Christ the King Armidale 24th-28th Australian Catholic Bishops Commission Sydney

A walking pilgrimage Centacare New England North West (NENW) staff member, Kerry Shipman is going to walk from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostella in Spain in October 2014; a distance of approximately 220 kilometres. This is the first time Mr Shipman has done something like this and he finds himself in unfamiliar territory and that is exactly what a pilgrimage is all about. “I’m doing this with a willingness to embrace the unfamiliar, to leave the familiar shore and embark on a journey of faith and discovery with an open heart and an open mind” he said. Summer Issue Deadline 10 November 2014

32 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Movie Review: Calvary Is it possible for a film to capture the horror of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church while at the same time presenting a case for the necessity of the institutional priesthood? Against all odds, this is exactly what Calvary manages to do. Fr. James (played by Brendan Gleeson) is a good priest, if a haunted one. One afternoon a parishioner confesses to him that he was serially raped by a now-deceased priest as a child, and as a way of taking revenge, he will kill Fr. James in a week. What follows is a surprisingly complex, if imperfectly executed, meditation on the nature of sin and mercy, set in the epicenter of the sexual abuse scandal. We are introduced one by one to Fr. James’s parishioners, each with their own set of problems. the role that sin plays in the greater spiritual world at large. Their attitudes toward the parish priest range from begrudging When a group of men at the local pub berate Fr. James for respect to apathy to outright contempt. Every hackneyed anti- going to give spiritual counseling to a child murderer in the Church saying one can think of is used by the townspeople as a local jail, Fr. James points out that the murderer at least sought taunt against Fr. James: that the Church is only out for money, his help, even if it was with mixed motivations. that priests are control freaks, that Catholicism has no good Though his fellow priest makes an attempt to underplay answer for the problem of evil. By contrast we see Fr. James the impact of the sexual abuse crisis, Fr. James realizes that doing the hard, daily work of the priest with dogged fidelity the faithful must be confronted by it, that the perception of as he counsels prisoners, administers last rites in the middle Catholic Church in the public forum is irrevocably changed of the night, and comforts a young widow. The film paints because of it, and that he himself needs to make reparations on very clearly the life of the priest in stark relief to the world’s the part of sinful humanity. perception of what a priest is, all while allowing Fr. James to retain his spirited, gruff, flawed humanity. Lauren Ely (extract of original review The key difference between Fr. James and his parishioners is http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/08/the- that he sees his part in the sinfulness of others—in fact, he sees scandal-of-calvary )

hey smile, they heal, they teach, they comfort. Around the globe Catholic religious sisters quietly perform their dedicated and heroic service without Sr Lucia a religious T sister from Italy remuneration and barely even noticed by the wider world. But in order to help rendering assistance others, they themselves also need to be helped, for although they are ministering to the poor in Ethiopia angels to so many, they themselves still need their daily bread and a roof over their heads. The average grant that the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) gives to support a religious sister is $300 – but whatever you can afford will be enormously appreciated. ACN forwards the donations directly to the religious superiors in charge of the religious communities and congregations. Each year ACN supports over 9,000 religious sisters in every corner of the globe. It is vital that the indispensable work of religious sisters in Christ’s Holy Catholic Church and throughout the missions worldwide continues. Religious sisters are the unsung heroines in the Church. ACN is therefore proud to help them in their efforts to make the world a better place. Send to: Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 7246 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Tel No: (02) 9679-1929 Email: [email protected] Web: www.aidtochurch.org

I/We enclose $...... to support the work of Religious Sisters for the poor & persecuted Church I enclose a cheque/money order payable to Aid to the Church in Need OR please debit my Visa or Mastercard: Viewpoint

Signature ...... Exp Date ...... /...... BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Rev ...... Address ...... PC ...... The Papal rosary designed by the Vatican rosary makers will be sent out to all those who give a Ph ...... Email ...... donation of $15 or more and tick this box. AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED... a Catholic charity dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed Churches

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 33 Kids Kapers

34 - SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT Your Vocation call to Diocesan Priesthood

The lifestyle of the diocesan priest is shaped by his service to Discernment also involves discovering a call to diocesan the local Church. He shares with a Bishop the role of service priesthood, diaconate, or a particular religious community. to the Church in a given geographical area such as the Diocese of Armidale. He ministers by building community, by drawing In order to grow in your spiritual life, it is recommended that people together, by challenging them to serve each other, and you have a spiritual director. A spiritual director can help guide by urging them to address the social concerns of our times. you in the discernment process. The diocesan priest ministers by celebrating Eucharist, and by A spiritual director does not give advice but listens, affirms leading the community at prayer, especially in the sacramental and challenges you. A spiritual director gives you feedback on moments of birth, reconciliation, marriage, sickness and death. what you share about your relationship with God, with others, Who is the priest? your work, ministry and discernment. A spiritual director will help you be accountable in your spiritual life. • one through whom new members are initiated into the fullness of the life of the church. What is spiritual direction?

• who brings comfort to bereaved, visits the sick and Spiritual direction is a process in which individual Christians counsels those with problems. are led and encouraged to discover their unique vocation in life. It is a means by which an individual may faithfully correspond • one who works together with his people to build up to the grace of the Holy Spirit as it is revealed through all the family of God. situations and events in life.

• the one who blesses the bonds of marriage for those Spiritual direction has been a practice in the Christian who are called to begin a new Christian family. tradition of entrusting another person with your experiences of God and life. Spiritual direction is a relationship in which a • the one who brings God’s compassion and forgiveness person discloses God’s action in their lives and gets feedback of sins to the people. from a trained director. Meeting with a director regularly gives you the opportunity to have a human sounding board for your • the one who invites the community of believers to live experiences. as one Eucharistic people, proclaiming and living out the Word of God. What is the role of the Spiritual Director? • He is the companion of Jesus who cares for the The role of the director is to listen and to reflect back to you people of God through the preaching of the Word, the what may be going on in your life. Sometimes we don’t celebration of the Sacraments, and the selfless service notice the underlying meaning or we can’t connect things of the people. that are happening to us. The spiritual director is an objective person who can encourage and challenge us to follow Jesus What is Discernment: more faithfully. A spiritual director does not tell you what to do Discernment is the process by which you discover God’s will. or which vocation to follow. The process enables you to distinguish between movements coming from God and impulses that are not from God. Young Fr Anthony Koppman adults discern a call to be single, married, priest or religious. This series will continue in future editions of Viewpoint

SPRING 2014 - CATHOLIC VIEWPOINT - 35 Talking about Family

In October in Rome there will be an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the topic of “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelisation”.

A synod is a gathering of a representative group of bishops from around the world. An Extraordinary Synod denotes that it is one not already included in the planned schedule. The decision of the Holy Father to have an extraordinary synod on the family is an indication of the high priority he places on the family. It is largely an advisory body to the Holy Father. At the end of an assembly recommendations or propositions will be made to Pope Francis.

This synod will consider the material from world wide consultations on marriage and family life undertaken last year. A working document for the synod has been released and is on the Vatican website

This document is divided into sections: Communicating the Gospel of the Family in Today’s World; The Pastoral Program for the Family in Light of New Challenges; An openness to Life and Parental Responsibility in Upbringing.

An outcome of the synod will be a clear picuture of marriage and family around the world along with detailed preparations for the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod in 2015.

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