CatholicTHE Leader Keeping Faith with You

www.catholicleader.com.au May 7, 2017. Issue 5448 Queensland Price $2 / $2.50 Interstate

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NEWS FEATURE People Archdiocese of Two-page feature Dorothy Nugent still Brisbane continues on how volunteers has a spark for life at work to ‘Rewrite are making a huge 100, much to the joy the Story’ and end contribution in the of fellow parishioners domestic violence simplest ways

P 4 P 14-15 P 28 ‘One mother said to me – it’s stronger than a mother’s love’: priest

SCOURGE OF ICE

Relentless nightmare: A Brisbane priest says the anguish of parents and families of ice addicts is relentless. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas By Mark Bowling A Queensland Government report has revealed recently dean of Brisbane archdiocese’s South families, affecting people from all walks of life. one in every three children found to be in need Country deanery, including Ipswich, and recently He said the anguish of parents and families of THE drug ice has taken such a grip of protection in 2016 had a parent who used appointed to Surfers Paradise parish. ice addicts was relentless. methamphetamines, most commonly the highly The Gold Coast including Beenleigh, Ipswich “They’re constantly living with the thought in Queensland that government addictive and easy-to-obtain crystal meth, ice. and Brisbane North to Caloundra are identified that this person is going to end up in hospital, in and care agencies are swamped by About 60 per cent of those 749 children suf- as “ice corridors” in the government report, col- jail, or in a coffin. demand for crisis intervention, treat- fered neglect, about a third were subjected to lectively being responsible for 40 per cent of all “It is not a designer drug. This is the suburban ment and support for the families emotional harm, and 11 per cent experienced cases in the state. drug that is cheap and easy to get hold of. It has physical harm. As ice use spreads, filling a vacuum of unem- permeated every area of society.” of users including children, and the “One mother said to me – it’s stronger than ployment and boredom, Fr Dillon said the drug effects are being felt in parishes. a mother’s love,” said Fr Peter Dillon, until was also tearing apart working and middle-class CONTINUED PAGE 3 2 News Annual survey shows house rents out of reach for people on low incomes

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Contents Housing stress: Low- income News earners continue 4 News to face significant 5 News rental stress 6 World if they have to rely on 7 News the private 9 News rental market in Brisbane. Centrepoint 10 Finance 11 San Sisto College Stress through the roof 12 Hot Topics By Mark Bowling “We’ve got 1400 people living rough each afford to rent from the Brisbane private rental 13 Vocations night, families sleeping in cars, mainly women market without placing themselves into undue 14-15 National Volunteer Week IN the run-up to this year’s Federal and children escaping domestic violence. financial stress. “Our major focus is to keep people in accom- “Low-income earners continue to face sig- Budget on May 9, an annual survey modation.” nificant rental stress if they have to rely on the Talking Point shows that rental affordability for Recent data shows that one in six Gold Coast private rental market in Brisbane,” the Anglicare households are experiencing housing stress and snapshot said. 23 Conversations low-income owners has reached are at risk of homelessness. “This is especially true for low-income earners 24 Regional crisis point. That data is mirrored by figures in the Angli- In Queensland, where more people rent than care survey that found rent virtually unaffordable reliant on government allowances.” in any other state, the eighth annual rental af- for those on low incomes or welfare. The survey also looked at places in Central Entertainment fordability snapshot released by Anglicare tal- The Rental Affordibility Snapshot underlines Queensland – Rockhampton, Gladstone and lies with evidence from the St Vincent de Paul the inadequacy of welfare payments such as Emerald – which each recorded an increase in 25 Arts & Entertainment Society that low-income earners and welfare Newstart and the desperation many low-income the number of households on income support 26 Extra recipients are being forced onto the streets be- families face just trying to pay for a roof over payments, which is likely due to a downturn in cause of high rents. their head. the region’s mining industry with flow-on ef- Classifieds 27 The St Vincent de Paul Society has just Other issues are tied to finding a suitable home fects to local businesses and therefore increased opened Cornerstone at Southport on the Gold to rent. unemployment. Coast, an early-intervention centre to try to curb The Anglicare report assumes that a family The snapshot found 362 less properties avail- increasing numbers of homeless. with two children would require a three-bedroom able than in the same communities last year, People “It has one of the highest percentages of property and that “share accommodation” is also which may reflect a removal of properties from 28 Humans of the Church homeless people in Queensland,” the society’s not suitable for couples or families except for South Coast diocesan president Noel Sweeney couples on an aged pension. the rental market as part of population changes said. The report also assumes that, for a property to in response to the decline in the local economy. “The Gold Coast is an expensive place to live. be affordable, the rent should be less than 30 per Across Australia, Anglicare found that of the The rents are very high. cent of household income. 67,651 dwellings available for rent on one week- “And people come here expecting to find In Brisbane, the snapshot found only house- end last month, only six per cent were suitable employment and there’s not. holds with at least two minimum wages can for households on government benefits. Chat with us

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Keeping Faith with You www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 News 3 Rosies ‘gravely concerned’ about increasing prevalence of drug users on the streets in all areas

Family conflict: “It can drive a wedge between parents because of how they hope to ad- dress the problem and help their child break the addiction – some favour a direct approach, others a more sub- tle one.” Ice scourge affects parishes

FROM PAGE 1 diocesan council executive officer Shane Klint- to the point that agencies had neither the fund- “It’s especially concerning to me that so many worth, “a lot of those people are affected by ice ing nor resources to deal with the growing ice children whose parents were using ice were so For about $40, a hit of ice can last over half a or drug and/or alcohol addiction”. scourge and its treatment of addicts. young,” she said. day. “Rosies – Friends on the Street is gravely Fr Dillon said there was a need for family “The study also showed us that where parents Users describe the effects as “totally euphoric” concerned by the increasing prevalence of drug- networks and providing support for parents and were using ice, they were also more likely to and “feeling like superman” even though users affected persons on the streets as noted across all siblings of ice users, as they shouldered the bur- have a criminal history (seventy-eight per cent), can become paranoid, aggressive and even of our eleven branches,” Rosies general manager den as primary carers supporting ice addicts. a diagnosed mental illness (seventy-three per psychotic. Andrew O’Brien said. “And it can drive a wedge between parents cent), they were more likely to have experienced Queensland Police Comissioner Ian Stewart “Our statistics indicate a growing number of because of how they hope to address the problem domestic and family violence in the past year has publicly drawn the link between ice use and patrons, including children, seeking friendship and help their child break the addiction – some (sixty-eight per cent) and more likely to be an increase in domestic violence callouts by and community provided by Rosies.” favour a direct approach, others a more subtle homeless (nineteen per cent).” police. Other “ice corridors” identified in the govern- one.” Ms Fentiman said parents in families identi- It is now the most commonly used drug ment report were Rockhampton to Aitkenvale, Queensland’s Child Safety Minister Shannon fied to be having problems with ice use, but among those entering prison, while ice-related including Townsville and Emerald, Gympie, Fentiman said the latest quarterly child protec- who wanted to keep their children at home, hospital admissions in Queensland have in- Maryborough and Bundaberg; and Springfield to tion data unveiled at the state’s first ice summit would be forced to undergo mandatory drug creased by 20 times in the past six years. Mount Gravatt, including Browns Plains. held in Rockhampton on April 27 had helped set testing. On the Gold Coast, the St Vincent de Paul One care worker supporting families of ice up strategies to combat the problem. “We have also announced for the first time we Society receives between 100 and 150 calls a addicts told The Catholic Leader the scale of the Ms Fentiman said 60 per cent of children who will have drug and alcohol nurses embedded in day and, according to the society’s South Coast problem as “immense, complex and growing” had a parent using ice were aged under five. our family support services,” she said. Townsville has new bishop

TOWNSVILLE’S sixth bishop has been installed after a three-year wait for a successor to the late Bishop Michael Putney. Bishop Tim Harris, a priest of the Brisbane archdiocese, was ordained and installed as the new shepherd for Towns- ville on Wednesday, May 3. Bishop Harris’ introduction to Townsville included comforting families and individuals whose homes and busi- nesses were ravaged by Cyclone Debbie. Ahead of his episcopal ordination, an excited Bishop Har- ris told The Catholic Leader he would be “a sign of unity” and wisdom in a diocese that has waited so long for a leader. “That’s my job though, to try to be that person in the mid- dle that draws that wisdom together,” he said. “But for better or for worse the Pope, the Spirit, has cho- sen me so I’ve got to be able to rely on that help. “God helps those whom God has called.” As Bishop Harris’ episcopal ordination was held after The Catholic Leader’s print deadline for this weekend, full coverage of his ordination, including his first address, will be featured in the May 14 edition of The Catholic Leader. – Emilie Ng New bishop: Bishop Tim Harris www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 4 News Church responds to child victims of domestic violence in PNG St Mary’s a safe haven By Mark Bowling A NEW focus on domestic violence in Papua New Guinea has revealed the Church at the forefront of pro- viding for child victims. In a country where Human Rights Watch estimates 70 per cent of women are raped during their lifetime, the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen has built a care centre for vulnerable children, which its Australian designer says could be duplicated across the country. News of the project comes as the 2015 Aus- tralian of the Year Rosie Batty travelled to PNG to fire up domestic violence survivors and en- courage them to change from victims to victors. Ms Batty visited Lae, PNG’s second-biggest city, to share her story of trauma and healing fol- lowing the murder of her 11-year-old son Luke at the hands of his father. “All our journeys are different but some things are the same, and we can get strength from each other, because we understand in ways other people never can,” Ms Batty, a guest of the organisation Femili PNG, said. Femili PNG receives aid from the Australian Government and the private sector. It works hand-in-hand with police and helps rescued women access appropriate services, such as safe houses, and assists them to navigate court processes. In the PNG highlands the Mt Hagen archdio- cese is completing a home at Ulga, close to Mt Hagen, to care for vulnerable children forced out of the family home and onto the streets. The St Mary’s home, due to be opened this month, will provide accommodation, meals, Forced out: St Mary’s Home for Vulnerable Children, in Mt Hagen archdiocese in Papua New Guinea, will be open to vulnerable children forced out education and general care for about 15 “at risk” of the family home and onto the streets. children caught up in marriage breakdowns, physical and sexual abuse, poverty and sorcery, program, spiritual formation and personal devel- Mr O’Brien, who works on a range of Church which is common in PNG. opment. projects in PNG including Mt Hagen’s new In charge of the centre is Society of Our Most The project cost $300,000 including the reno- cathedral, a new teachers’ college chapel and Domestic Holy Trinity Sister Mary Corpus Chrisiti Banas vation of an existing building. secondary school facilities, said international whose vision is to “Let the children come to Mr O’Brien said the centre could be dupli- financial support was needed to push ahead with violence is me”, and for “the home to be a place of love, cated in other towns by using demountable projects like St Mary’s. safety and refuge in the arms of Jesus through structures. During her visit, Ms Batty reflected on the a huge problem his body, the Church”. “Domestic violence is a huge problem in long road ahead for PNG women. The project architect and chief fundraiser PNG’s male-dominated society,” he said. She met with a team of two child protection in PNG’s male- Sydney-based John O’Brien said the goal was “This is a starting point to what can happen. workers in Lae who are grappling with a case- to provide crisis care and longer-term services “The St Mary’s Home for Vulnerable Children load in the thousands. dominated for vulnerable children and to help them gain an has emerged out of a response by the Arch- “In Australia there are child protection workers identity. diocese of Mt Hagen to Pope Francis’ ‘call to burnt out and overwhelmed, and they would only The centre will offer health care, a literacy action’ following on from the Year of Mercy.” have hundreds of cases on their file,” she said. society. Another death hits suburbs Brisbane advocate calls IN the first hours of Domes- “We have this fine agency tic and Family Violence Pre- – Centacare – that works on a for end to Papuan plight vention Month, a Brisbane daily basis with victims of do- court heard of allegations mestic and family violence,” A CHURCH peace advocate has called for the ing on the freedom struggle in West Papua,” Mr that brought the scourge into Archbishop Coleridge said. Indonesian Government to end violent repres- Arndt said. the city’s quiet streets. “Centacare does superb sion in West Papua including the right of press He said the marking of World Press Freedom A man from Stafford was work and they have real freedom, following the latest police crackdown. Day in Jakarta was an opportunity for the world’s accused of murdering his expertise in this area. On May 1, police rounded up 200 demonstra- media to throw a spotlight on the situation. 69-year-old wife in a home “We’re again approaching tors attending an independence rally. In May 2015, Indonesia’s President Joko Rewrite the Story as a part of that looks familiar to so West Papua media reported allegations of some Widodo lifted access restrictions for foreign helping in a wider effort to ex- many Queenslanders. of those detained being tortured, and there were journalists in West Papua, however figures from pose this widespread problem. Its tidy front yard and photographs of a journalist who had been bashed. the Alliance of Independent Journalists in Papua “We’re very happy to work well-kept gardens partly Two days later, on May 3, Indonesia hosted show that only 15 foreign journalists have in fact with anyone who is commit- shroud a neat house. paign last year in May and it’s World Press Freedom Day in its capital Jakarta. been permitted to enter West Papua. ted to doing something about Neighbours say the street Brisbane archdiocese’s Catholic Justice and “… Only a handful of journalists have been something we feel strongly domestic and family violence.” is relatively quiet – just a Peace Commission executive officer Peter Arndt given visas in the last two years and none of about continuing,” Archbish- The State Government normal scene replicated so urged the Australian Government to end its them has been allowed to travel and report op Coleridge said. is co-ordinating a website many times across the state. silence on the Indonesian Government’s actions “We said last year in launch- that lists community events freely,” Mr Arndt said. And domestic violence in its eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua “Like Papuan journalists, they have been prevention experts say ing the campaign that domestic for Domestic and Family and family violence was, for a Violence Prevention Month: (often known collectively as West Papua). monitored closely in an effort to stop unfavour- these types of allegations, Mr Arndt, who has travelled to West Papua able news getting out. while devastating, do not long time, hidden. It happens https://www.communities.qld. behind closed doors. gov.au/gateway/not-now-not- four times in the past two years, said hundreds of “President Widodo simply hasn’t kept his shock them – domestic and Papuans had pleaded for Australia to take action. promise about media freedom in West Papua.” family violence can happen “Well, that’s still the case ever/not-now-not-ever-cam- but we’re realising the scale paign/domestic-and-family- During his visits, Mr Arndt has documented Mr Arndt said the Australian Government can- anywhere, anytime across five instances of police interference as journal- not stay silent in the face of substantial evidence the state. of the problem and where the violence-prevention-month/ Church’s resources and ener- events-calendar ists attempted to report at pro-independence of systematic efforts by Indonesian authorities Archbishop Mark Col- demonstrations. to stop the voices of Papuans calling for self- eridge said the Archdiocese gies can help.” If you need assistance, call 000 immediately if it’s It included police seizing journalists’ cameras determination being heard and to stop journalists of Brisbane was launching The archdiocese has a life-threatening matter. and deleting photos. reporting on police and military repression. established a website – www. its Rewrite the Story: Let’s DV Connect Womensline “I have spoken to several Papuan journalists “Prime Minister (Malcolm) Turnbull and rewritethestory.net.au – to End Domestic and Family and DV Connect Mensline: on my visits to West Papua and they complain Foreign Affairs Minister (Julie) Bishop have a provide details on resources Violence campaign for 2017 1800 600 636. Centacare about systematic attempts by Indonesian police moral obligation to challenge the Indonesian that can assist those who Brisbane: 1300 236 822. to help promote discussion. and government authorities to stop them and Government on their treatment of the people of “We launched this cam- require help. – Michael Crutcher foreign journalists from investigating and report- West Papua and their leaders,” he said. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 News 5 ‘This is no way for a child to grow up, without an Bishops education, without a proper home’ speaking out about euthanasia

MISPLACED compassion can lead to calls for euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide, accord- ing to a pastoral letter issued by four bishops in Victoria. The letter was issued amid a renewed push in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia to intro- duce “right-to-die” laws. The bishops, headed by Mel- bourne Archbishop Denis Hart, have called on the Catholic community to continue to com- mit to care for the frail, elderly, sick and dying at every stage of their life journey, and to ensure that they have “appropriate care, support and pain management” at all times. “Assistance in our time of dy- ing is something that we should all want for ourselves and for others – however, this should not involve a lethal injection or offering a lethal dose,” the bishops said. The letter urges Catholics not to abandon their loved ones but to continue to love and care for them. It quotes Pope Francis who recently said: “The predomi- nant school of thought some- times leads to a ‘false compas- sion’ which holds that it is ... an act of dignity to perform euthanasia. “Instead, the compassion of the Gospel is what accompanies Reaching out: Ora Duffley with one of the children she met while volunteering in northern Iraq recently. us in times of need, that com- passion of the Good Samaritan, who ‘sees’, ‘has compassion’, draws near and provides con- crete help.” Lending a hand in Iraq The bishops’ pastoral letter states bluntly that “euthanasia and assisted suicide are the By Mark Bowling they make the best of such a terrible opposite of care and represent situation which has been cast upon the abandonment of the sick and them through no fault of their own,” the suffering, of older and dying BRISBANE Catholic teach- Miss Duffley said. persons”. er Ora Duffley has returned “They live in makeshift tents, too It calls upon Catholics not from a confronting few hot in the summer, too cold in the win- only to pray but also to act, weeks on mission helping ter, and despite this harsh existence, encouraging individuals, lay they smile, they laugh and play. groups, associations, parishes Christian refugees in north- “But this is no way for a child and priests to step up their ern Iraq. to grow up, without an education, efforts in opposing euthanasia, Miss Duffley set off before Easter to without a proper home, without loved in contacting their members join the French Catholic mission SOS ones, many of whom have been killed of parliament, in contributing Chrétien’s d’Orient, working hand in or have simply disappeared since locally and powerfully to pro- hand with local people and parishes on Daesh (ISIS) destroyed their peaceful mote life and increase commit- the ground. existence and its soldiers overran the ment to excellence in palliative Even though she was well-read on Nineveh Plains in 2014. care. the ongoing war against ISIS, she said “Again and again, I listened through “We should be clear – there is nothing could prepare her for what she tears, as old women relived the horror no safe way to kill people or to Return: Military protect the Christians in Qaraqosh, Northern Iraq, during their help them to their own suicide,” encountered. of living with ISIS who took their first Palm Sunday parade for a few years. The town has been destroyed. the letter says. “To see the Blackhawks (military village.” Photo: SOS Chretiens d’Orient helicopters) and the abandoned build- About 70 per cent of Iraq’s Chris- CultureWatch’s Bill Mue- hlenberg, who recently released ings … the country is just in ruins, tians are from the Chaldean Catholic “It was another step forward, Returning families filled the a book The Challenge of Eutha- because of war after war,” she said. tradition. another sign of hope that life can get church, including women dressed nasia, described the worldwide Miss Duffley arrived in Erbil where In northern Iraq, it’s estimated that back to normal.” in their colourful traditional cloth- experience of euthanasia as “a SOS teams work with refugee fami- at the time Mosul was invaded by On Palm Sunday, Miss Duffley ing, flanked by a special unit of the slippery slope”. lies, mainly Chaldean Catholics and ISIS in June 2014, only about 3000 travelled to the once-thriving Christian new Iraqi army made up of Christian “Consider the Remmelink other Christians, who fled from Mosul Christians were left from the 35,000 town of Qaraqosh. soldiers. Report, an official Dutch and the surrounding Nineveh Plains there in 2003. “I have read the stories of the “I offered a prayer that one day this government survey of euthana- towns of Bashika, Bartella, Teleskuf, The challenge for international atrocities carried out there, but it was city, its people and its churches will sia practices, found that more Karemless and Qaraqosh. aid groups and volunteers is to make overwhelming and shocking to actu- once again flourish,” Miss Duffley said. than one thousand patients are They help in whatever way is needed Christians feel safe enough to return to ally see, to actually walk the ground,” She intends to return to northern involuntarily euthanised each including supplying washing machines, their war-ravaged region and rebuild she said. Iraqi to resume her volunteer mission year,” Mr Muehlenberg said, cookers, furniture, water filters, medi- their communities. “Nothing prepared me for that and it work with SOS later this year. speaking at a recent forum at cal and hygiene packs, food, toys for During her stay, Miss Duffley struck me to the core. Miss Duffley encouraged other Aus- the Queensland Parliamentary the children and school supplies. helped deliver 400 water filters to peo- “We stood there, other volunteers tralians to also take up the volunteer Annex in Brisbane, promoting “I have seen children too sick ple returning to the town of Teleskuf. and I, in the midst of a bombed and call. his new book. to move, whose families have lost The filters were partly funded by burnt-out church, our tears flowed. “Particularly tradesmen are “As one Oxford philosopher everything and now sleep together on money she raised in Brisbane, includ- “It had once been the pride of the needed,” she said. put it, the Dutch experience the floor and live on the charity of the ing donations from readers of The town, the place at the heart of the town “Their skills are needed for the mas- clearly shows that ‘even with Catholic Leader. Church and the donations of SOS Chré- where people had gone to worship, a sive rebuilding underway. And also to stringent safeguards, once “We were able to present them with tien’s d’Orient,” Miss Duffley said. place they loved.” train young Iraqis to have the skills to voluntary euthanasia is legalised While confronted by dismal living a means to have clean, safe water,” Miss Duffley attended a Palm Sun- continue with that work.” the descent down the slippery conditions, she said the refugee fami- she said. day Mass in the church ruins, the first To donate to help Miss Duffley’s slope is inevitable’.” lies were “resourceful and resilient”. “Up until that point they had not Mass held there since Qaraqosh was volunteer work, go to https://www. – Mark Bowling “They touch your heart, because had that. abandoned in 2014. gofundme.com/soslovetoiraq. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 6 World Vatican News Hope, gratitude, discernment needed for renewal, Pope says

AN Italian association that runs and maintains a Roman beach for people with disabilities received an unexpected donation Death from Pope Francis. squad: A In an April 25 statement, the Work of Love, a charitable resident association dedicated to St Aloysius Gonzaga, expressed its looks at “enthusiasm and astonishment” upon receiving a contribution Philippine made in the Pope’s name by the papal almoner Archbishop Drug En- Konrad Krajewski. forcement The association runs La Madonnina beach near Fiumicino, Agency officers south-west of Rome, which is specially designed for people during an with disabilities, and equipped with walkways for easy access anti-drug in and around the area. operation The Work of Love association said the donation was accom- on March panied by a message from the Pope who “imparted his blessing 16 in to the volunteers and in a special way to the disabled people Manila. and their families” who visit the beach. Photo: The undisclosed amount donated by Pope Francis, the state- CNS/ ment said, “covers the rent costs for the year for La Madonnina Romeo beach”. CNS Ranoco, Reuters Pope Francis to canonise two Fatima seers on May 13 visit to Bishop backs the case against site of apparitions in Portugal THE only way to give an authentic witness of Christ’s death Duterte in international court and resurrection is by sharing the Gospel with humility, Pope Francis said. THE case filed against Philippine Presi- of “mass murder” was filed against Mr case against the president was “dustbin Christians who preached must resist the temptation of power, dent Rodrigo Duterte before the Interna- Duterte and 11 other Philippine officials bound” for lack of solid evidence. pride and worldliness, which can lead to “preaching a watered- tional Criminal Court in The Hague is a for alleged crimes against humanity Senator Risa Hontiveros said she down Gospel without strength, a Gospel without Christ cruci- “very good step” toward stopping drug- brought about by the drug-related killings. was “saddened” that some members of fied and risen”, the Pope said on April 25 during morning Mass related killings, a Catholic bishop said. Human Rights Watch reported in the Senate were included among those in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae. “It is our hope that this move will inject March that more than 7000 people had charged in the international court. “Why is this humility necessary?” he asked. “Precisely be- fear into the hearts and minds of the ac- been killed in either police anti-drug cause we bring forward a proclamation of humiliation, of glory cused officials so that they will eventually operations or in unexplained killings since Two sitting senators were also charged but through humiliation.” and sincerely put a stop to these merci- Mr Duterte took office on June 30. with violating various provisions of the The Pope reflected on the day’s reading from the First Letter less killings,” Bishop Arturo Bastes of In early March, Mr Duterte’s allies in Rome Statute, a treaty that established the of Peter (5:5-14) in which the apostle calls on the early Christian Sorsogon said. the Philippine House helped pass a meas- International Criminal Court. communities to be vigilant and resist the devil who “is prowling Ucanews.com reported that the bishop ure reinstating the death penalty, with the The court is responsible for trying around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. said the International Criminal Court primary goal of executing drug offenders. perpetrators of genocide, crimes against Although there was always “some form of temptation and should “take serious action against the The 77-page court complaint, “The Sit- humanity, war crimes and crimes of ag- even persecution” when evangelising, the Pope said, it was “the continuous and seemingly condoned vio- uation of Mass Murder in the Philippines, gression. Lord who picks us up, who gives us strength”. lation of human rights in the Philippines”. Rodrigo Duterte: The Mass Murderer”, The Philippines ratified the statute in He said it was Jesus who would always strengthen those who “Filing a complaint at the ICC is a alleges that Mr Duterte masterminded August 2011. went out of their way to “preach Christ crucified”, if done with good move for the whole world to know the killings of suspected drug users and “true humility”. that crimes against humanity, seemingly dealers. Religious leaders, including the Catho- “May the Lord give us this grace, as baptised people – all of sanctioned by the government, are being The presidential palace dismissed the lic bishops, have criticised the killings, us – of taking this path of evangelisation with humility, trust- committed in this Christian country,” complaint as “black propaganda”. although the bishops have stated they ing in him, announcing the true Gospel: ‘The Word was made Bishop Bastes said. In the Philippine Senate, Senator Pan- oppose Mr Duterte’s policies, not Mr flesh’,” the Pope said. Ucanews.com reported that a complaint filo Lacson, a Duterte supporter, said the Duterte as a person. CNS CNS French cardinal says ‘democracy gone mad’ ANTON BROWN FUNERALS Celebrations of Life arranged with trust and sensitivity Campaign the ‘worst’ at an affordable cost When Family Matters FRANCE’S Catholic primate chaos and the misleading of voters.” unable to get through today’s campaign In the first round of French elections mechanisms, where everything is decided 100% Queensland Family Owned has condemned the current on April 23, Emmanuel Macron, who by the art of winning. All Areas 24 Hours • 1800 689088 presidential campaign as his founded En Marche!, a centre-left political “Those who win are just electoral ani- www.antonbrownfunerals.com.au country’s “worst ever” and urged movement, and Marine Le Pen, emerged mals, not competent, rational politicians.” Christians to help prevent as the two top vote-getters. Ms Le Pen Catholics traditionally make up two- subsequently resigned from the thirds of France’s 67 million inhabitants, democracy from “losing far-right National Front which although only a small proportion attends Heading to the Cathedral? its sense”. she had led. Mass. Treat yourself at the Cathedral Coffee Lounge “Left and right rivalled She and Mr Macron will In a book-length message last October, each other and had their face off today (May 7), “Recovering the sense of politics”, the radical wings, but there when voters will choose bishops’ conference said “weariness, frus- was also a centre,” Cardi- who will be France’s presi- tration, fear and anger” in the country had nal Philippe Barbarin of dent for the next five years. fuelled “profound hopes and expectations Lyon said. “Now, left and Candidates from the of change”, but also cautioned against “a right have stepped back, and mainstream Socialist and search for facile, emotive options”. the main candidates are divided Republican parties will not be Cardinal Barbarin told KAI the Catholic by other unclear criteria. in the final round. Church should appeal to citizens not to vote “I have the impression our voters are Cardinal Barbarin said the success of Ms “for people with pretty eyes, who can make totally lost.” Le Pen, who has vowed to take France out stars of themselves with media support”. In an interview with Poland’s Catholic of the European Union and give French “This is a time of decadence, and deca- Information Agency (KAI), published on nationals priority over foreigners in jobs, dence means certain forms and structures April 26, Cardinal Barbarin (pictured) welfare, housing and education, reflected are nearing their end,” he said. said France was witnessing “the twilight a “destabilising trend” also visible in other “As Christians, we yearn for social of its existing political system” as citizens parts of Europe and the United States. order, peace and harmony – a state based sought out “leaders closer to the people in He spoke of a “form of democratic ter- on principles of welfare and participa- their economic and social realities”. rorism”, which stripped candidates of their tion, where all can make contributions and “Democracy seems to be losing its sense dignity by establishing a right “to know citizens are subjects of the political com- and being cast adrift by media shabbiness,” everything, whether proved or unproved” munity,” he said. 9am-2pm Monday to Friday | Ph: 07 3336 9240 Cardinal Barbarin said. about them. “But the problem in today’s France is Penola Place (St Stephen’s Cathedral Precinct) “This has been our worst-ever election “It seems we’re dealing with a de- the rising disappointment and anger of Lower Ground Floor, 143 Edward St, Brisbane campaign, characterised by the unforgiv- mocracy gone mad,” the cardinal said. those who feel ill-treated, rejected and able accusations, total critiques, violence, “Although statesmen still exist, they’re forgotten.” CNS www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 News 7 Missionary priest serving in Queensland called into leadership Australia is Fr Joe’s ‘second home’ By Emilie Ng ONE of the first Indian priests from the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to serve in Aus- tralia has been named a provincial superior for the order. Fr Joseph Thottankara, one of two India priests invited to serve in Toowoomba in the 1980s, is the new provincial superior for the Zion province in Kerala. As the new provincial superior, Fr Thot- tankara will be in charge of encouraging nearly 200 priests in the Zion province, which includes several priests serving in Brisbane. Brisbane is home to eight MCBS priests and there is another serving in Toowoomba. Before his appointment as provincial leader for the congregation, Fr Thottankara was under- taking his third posting in Australia as parish priest for Holland Park Mt Gravatt parish in Brisbane. “Australia has become part of my life in a sense,” he said. “Maybe half of my priesthood has been here, ministering here, so my priestly life is partly influenced by the Australian community. “I call this my second home.” But no matter how much Australia has felt like home for Fr Thottankara, he just can’t shake his support for Test cricket’s new number one team. “Some people ask me, ‘Who do you support in cricket?’” he said. “I say, the ‘Indian team’ – whether they lose or not doesn’t matter. “Second, (the) Australian team – when any other people come to play (I support) the Aus- New posting: Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Father Joseph Thottankara, who has served in Australia for half his priestly life, tralian team, I tell the people that.” has been appointed the Zion provincial superior for his order. Photo: Emilie Ng After his initial mission in Toowoomba, Fr Thottankara moved back to India before returning to Australia to work in the Brisbane I buried so archdiocese in 1997. He spent more than four years at Surfers Para- dise but was called back to India for another 13 many people, years, serving as rector for the minor seminary and as a mission superior. those who have “I came back to Australia in 2013,” Fr Thot- tankara said. taken drugs and “I have been in the country parish like Roma, and I had experienced the city, Gold Coast and died. Brisbane, so I had a variety of experience in this place. “I found it very rich and precious; those expe- tankara said. riences made me who I am.” “I was also getting involved in Rosies and I Fr Thottankara was also instrumental in open- have seen real street kids. ing the first mission house base for his congrega- “People were sleeping outside our church at tion, located at Holland Park. St Vincent’s (in Surfers Paradise) and when we Ordained a priest in 1981, Fr Thottankara fol- go to Monday morning for Mass there were so lowed a deep desire to serve the poor. many people sleeping there, we had to move “That was my attraction, helping the poor,” them to get into the church. he said. “There is poverty in Australia in that sense. “I visited so many remote areas of India (and) “I buried so many people, those who have that gave me an incentive to work for such taken drugs and died.” people.” Fr Thottankara returned to India on May 1 and The desire to serve the poor never waned, began his new role on May 2. even in his missions in Australia. Fr Joson Antony, former associate pastor at “I have seen in the Gold Coast and in other Caboolture, will take over from Fr Thottankara areas, really people on the street,” Fr Thot- at Holland Park Mt Gravatt. We look after people.

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VOLUNTEERS for a charity helping women have to ensure the charity conducted all its At Southern Cross Care Direct we offer a wide range of services and support to assist in crisis pregnancies are looking for a chief ex- activities in accordance with the relevant legis- ecutive officer to lead the demanding mission. lation and statutory authorities’ requirements. people to live independently in their own homes. A Pregnancy Crisis Incorporated (PCI) They said negotiation skills would be spokesman said the Brisbane-based charity important because the position involved deal- From providing the highest levels of care and support through to helping people needed to split the roles of their president and ing with government and non-government navigate the government support programs and documentation, our expert staff will CEO Patti Camp, and applications for the new agencies, including organisations that referred guide you on how to get the help, care and support you require. You can remain in position were now open. clients to PCI. your own home and continue to live independently thanks to our direct services to “We are looking for someone who will be The CEO would oversee the charity’s fund- responsible for leading over 100 volunteers,” raising and promotional activities, and would you – We look after people. the spokesman said. have an accountant, volunteer office staff and PCI was founded in 2008 by Brisbane area co-ordinators reporting to them. couple Alan and Patti Camp to help mothers Remuneration will be by negotiation. confronted with an unplanned pregnancy in Applications can be sent to The President, difficult circumstances. Pregnancy Crisis Incorporated, PO Box 427, The charity runs a confidential safe house Moorooka, Qld, 4105 or [email protected]. DIRECT P: 1800 899 300 in Brisbane for victims of domestic violence, A CV and cover letter must be included. sccqld.com.au and has volunteer support workers who visit Applications close on Monday, May 15. clients in their own homes. For more information, call 1300 777 777 or The PCI spokesman said the new CEO would 07 3892 7662. – Nancy Webb An initiative of the Knights of the Southern Cross www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 8 Parishes Official Big Fatima night on hill engagements for Brisbane’s By Emilie Ng Himself in the Blessed Sacrament, which is very fitting since the Eucharist is central to the Fatima archbishop message,” Fr Kołaczkowski said. A BRISBANE parish that welcomed “It’s wonderful to think that we can answer Our Archbishop Mark Coleridge St John Paul II before he was elected Lady’s call to worship Our Lord through prayer May 8-11: Australian pope will host a Eucharistic proces- and penance half a world away and one century Catholic Bishops Con- on, and that her message is still so relevant to ference, Sydney sion to honour the Marian apparition modern society.” May 12: Episcopal he claimed saved his life. Priests will hear confessions between 5 and Council meeting; 7pm before Mass at 7.15pm. 6.30pm Mass for the Our Lady of Victories Parish in Bowen Hills, installation of Fr Baiyi which received a visit from St John Paul II in Mass will be followed by the Eucharistic Gong as parish priest, St 1973 when he was Archbishop of Krakow, will procession. Peter’s Church, Rochedale commemorate the first apparition of Our Lady of The church doors will be kept open after Mass May 14: 9am Mass for the installa- Fatima exactly 100 years after she appeared to for all-night adoration. tion of Fr Rafal Rucinski as parish priest, St three shepherd children. People can also be enrolled in the Brown Flannan’s Church, Zillmere. Pope John Paul II claimed the intercession of Scapular on the night. Our Lady of Fatima had saved him from an as- Fr Kołaczkowski expected a packed church for sassination attempt by Turkish man Mehmet Ali the centenary celebrations, and confirmed at least Visit Agca in 1981, who shot the pontiff four times in 10 seminarians from Holy Spirit Seminary would www.bne.catholic.net.au/webcast a crowded St Peter’s Square. join in for three hours of Eucharistic adoration. to see the 10am Sunday Mass live from The failed assassination took place exactly 64 “We’ve even heard that some people are St Stephen’s Cathedral years after Our Lady of Fatima first appeared to thinking of travelling from interstate to join in three shepherd children on May 13, 1917. the celebrations,” he said. The pope publicly forgave his shooter and in From May 13 the parish will also offer a small 1983 the Holy Father visited Mr Agca in his jail pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima that will be cell. available for families to adopt for one week. He also gave one of the bullets that wounded Fr Kołaczkowski said the strong devotion to him to the bishop in charge of Fatima, and the Our Lady of Fatima in his parish came from the bullet is now in the crown of the statue of Our parishioners. Lady of Fatima. “I think it’s one of those celebrations that Parish priest Fr Andrzej Kołaczkowski, who is comes from the grassroots level,” he said. originally from Poland, has invited all Catholics “The devotion of the people to Our Lady of in Brisbane archdiocese to his parish on May 13 Fatima here, which was a big devotion of John for the centenary of Our Lady of Fatima. Paul II, has influenced the Polish chaplaincy and Bowen Hills parishioners have honoured Our strengthened our community.” Lady of Fatima for 20 years, praying in a Rosary The community’s special connection with St procession outside the church that follows a John Paul II and the prayers of the current Pope statue of Our Lady of Fatima. will also be central to this year’s celebrations. Saintly visit: Cardinal Karol Wojtyla presiding at a Mass at Bowen Hills in 1973. While Archbish- On May 13, which marks 100 years since Our “I invite everyone to attend and unite in spirit op of Krakow, Cardinal Wojtyla was assigned Lady of Fatima appeared, the parish will host a with the current Holy Father Pope Francis who Remembering the intercession: A close-up of to care for Polish Catholics around the world, Eucharistic procession. will be celebrating in Fatima, as well as with the crown of Our Lady of Fatima showing the including members of the Bowen Hills parish “To mark this special occasion, however, we St John Paul II from his place in heaven,” Fr mounted bullet that wounded Pope John Paul at Our Lady of Victories. will give the first place of honour to Our Lord Kołaczkowski said. II in a failed assassination.

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www.catholicfoundation.org.au Subscribe: www.catholicleader.com.au | phone: 07 3324 3555 www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 News 9 Church helps build bridges of hope with Timor Leste visitors

Warm ties: Archbishop Mark Coleridge greets President- elect Francisco Guterres and Timor Leste vet- erans fol- lowing the ANZAC Day Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Photo: Alan Edgecomb Strengthening Timor ties By Mark Bowling CLOSE ties between Church and people are a legacy of last month’s Anzac Day visit to Brisbane by Timor Leste’s new leader accompa- nied by war veterans. It was the first visit to Australia by President- elect Francisco Guterres, a 24-year veteran of East Timor’s resistance to Indonesian occupa- tion. Mr Guterres is keen to forge neighbourly ties, and is particularly concerned with improving the welfare of veterans in the fledgling Timor Leste. In Brisbane, the Catholic Church is playing a prominent part in both creating goodwill and as- sisting veterans re-integrate into civilian life. Timor Leste veterans marched alongside Leading men: (Above) President-elect Fran- Australian comrades in the Anzac street parade cisco Guterres with Queensland Governor in Brisbane, and President-elect Guterres at- Paul de Jersey. tended the Anzac Day Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral, seated together with Queensland Veterans unite: Deacon Gary Stone (right) Governor Paul de Jersey, Premier Annasta- and his son Michael Stone marched along- side Timore Leste veterans. cia Palaszczuk and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart. as one contingent (Timorese and Australian tough for veterans and their families and might munity,” he said. As a sign of close ties the new leader veterans). require the support of a mate. Mr Guterres will be sworn in as the country’s presented Archbishop Mark Coleridge with a “After they had marched, the Timorese veter- Deacon Stone said the Timorese veterans traditionally-woven Timorese scarf and the two ans were given a place of honour on the saluting returned home with ideas and inspiration to fourth president later this month. men embraced on the steps of the cathedral. dais.” develop their own celebrations to mark military Fifteen years after independence, Timor “It was a warm welcoming moment,” Deacon In Brisbane, Deacon Stone accompanied service and ways to care for veterans and their Leste’s key oil reserves are running dry and the Gary Stone, who has been instrumental in forg- President-elect Guterres to visit Mates4Mates to families. government is struggling to resolve a long- ing relations with Timor Leste through his Veter- see firsthand a veterans care facility. “They can take back a vision of how the RSL ans Care Association, said. Mates4Mates helps military service personnel and a whole range of veterans’ groups have built running row with Australia over lucrative energy “And during the Anzac parade we marched transition into civilian life – a task that can be up niche capabilities to support the veteran com- fields in the Timor Sea. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 We’ve changed our name to reect our strength, diversity 10 SameSUPERANNUATION dedication. and Australia-wide membership. CSRF is now called RETIREMENT Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund (ACSRF). SameFUND values. Visit www.catholicsuper.com.au or call 1300 658 776 today. ADVERTISINGADVERTISING FEATURE FEATURE Why can’tDi eren wet name .get super early? By Zilla Lyons SUPERANNUATION is one of the key ways that Australians plan for their future and retirement. Employers are required to contribute to retire- ment funds on behalf of employees. Those funds are preserved until a condition of release (usually retirement) is satisfied. While there are ways to access a portion of the funds earlier than retirement, it’s important to restrict access to help protect a secure future for all Australians. There are ways to access your superannuation earlier than retirement. A Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension allows someone who is still working and over their preservation age (currently 56) to move money from a superannuation accumulation or normal working account into a pension account and draw between four per cent and 10 per cent of their account balance. This method is considered more responsible because it reduces the tax burden on people who may need earlier access to their super funds for emergencies, family issues or home maintenance while closing in on retirement age. If the person using a TTR pension is under the age of 60, account withdrawals are usually taxable at the person’s marginal tax rate but with a 15 per cent tax rebate; people over 60 receive those drawings tax-free. Many people use the pension drawings to reduce debt, to increase their salary sacrifice to super or to re-contribute to their super fund so that these endeavours can build wealth for retirement. A small percentage of people use a TTR strat- egy to access money from an otherwise locked system, using it frivolously and at the expense of their final retirement savings. What could go wrong if we allow early access Preparing for the unknown: Superannuation is forced saving for what is around the bend in later years. to pensions and super? Superannuation is designed to provide income While the couple has lovely holiday photos We must consider that the possibility of super Governments cannot force people to make in retirement after work-for-pay ceases. and a bike to show, they have withdrawn 10 per access for house deposits would provide a ready responsible financial decisions. Access to super These super savings can provide a level of cent of their pool of savings for retirement and source of funding to fuel competition, driving up gives an individual responsibility to use their comfort in retirement and supplement or replace have a combined tax liability of nearly $5000. demand and ultimately prices. savings wisely. Preservation rules within super the age pension. This starts a cycle of using their TTR pension According to ASFA, the average super ac- exist to protect an individual and their future but “Delayed gratification” is the foundation of to withdraw tax payment from their retirement count holder in Australia aged 25 to 29 has an also to help safeguard the nation’s economy. our superannuation system: people are asked to savings yet again, further depleting their savings. average super balance of $16,441. spend a little less today to enjoy more for tomor- In the early days of the superannuation Even allowing super access to pay the deposit Any views, opinions or recommendations row. system, before the current rules on preserva- on a home, this amount may be too small to of the writer is solely their own and do not This is the essence of investing as compound- tion, it was possible to access super and pay any satisfy deposit requirements for home purchases in any way reflect the views, opinions and ing returns should reward patient investors. outstanding taxes after you left some jobs. in many parts of the country; even then it would recommendations of Australian Catholic However, like many children when faced with Many people of my vintage now regret this leave people without a safety net and reset their Superannuation. The views, opinions or one lolly now or two in an hour, some investors easy access, as the money they spent did not add retirement savings plan. recommendations in the article may change will choose to take the immediate reward rather to their overall wealth or future savings. Would a lack of job security and future job in the future. than risk the wait. The holiday or new car that seemed like a losses lead to foreclosures similar to those wit- GENERAL ADVICE WARNING Take the case of Paul and Susan, 56-year-old great decision is now just a distant memory. nessed in the USA during the global crisis? Any advice contained in this document is teachers earning $85,000 who have $200,000 in Protecting superannuation investments is more If workers have no access to home deposit of a general nature only, and does not take each of their TTR pensions. than a simple, individual choice. funds other than by raiding their super and have into account your personal objectives, finan- As all of Paul’s pension money is classified as Without significant income from super, the no saving practices to demonstrate, will they cial situation or needs. Prior to acting on any information in this document, you need to taxable, the 10 per cent ($20,000) he draws for ageing Australian population will likely not have the saving capability to repay the loan in take into account your own financial circum- be able to keep up their current consumption the year will be included in his tax return at a 30 good times or in the event of adversity? stances, consider the Product Disclosure per cent tax rate while receiving a 15 per cent patterns in retirement, which could impact the Could the legislation give rise to a new breed Statement for any product you are consid- rebate. broader community. of former homeowners who end up homeless ering, and seek independent financial ad- On lodgement, Paul expects his tax burden This will increase pressure on an overbur- and without retirement funds? vice if you are unsure of what action to take. from the pension payment to be about $2500. dened welfare system, compounding the situa- Paul Keating wrote in The Sydney Morning Financial advice is available to members Paul, however, is having a bit of a mid-life tion. Herald, “to allow super savings to be withdrawn through an arrangement with Industry Fund crisis and uses the $20,000 pension payment to Recently, there have been suggestions to allow to be used for other investments really defeats Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 232514). Call us on buy a nice motorcycle. access to super as a means of solving some is- the purpose”. 1300 658 776. Upset with Paul’s selfish use, Susan draws sues of housing affordability. “It may be impractical and self-defeating to $20,000 in annual payments from her TTR If super could be accessed to provide funds help realise today’s dream of a home owner- Zilla Lyons is a regional manager with account, which she spends on an overseas trip for a home deposit, what would be the likely ship at the expense of tomorrow’s retirement Australian Catholic Superannuation and during the Christmas holidays. consequences? savings.” Retirement Fund.

Recent government changes to super could affect your retirement plans

Significant changes to the rules take effect on 1 July, 2017. Come along to one of our seminars to find out: Despite the changes, superannuation is still one of the • The government changes to super • How to grow your super most tax-effective ways to save for retirement. • What effect the changes will have • The benefits of financial advice Will the changes affect your income in retirement, which could last for 20-30 years? Non-members, friends and family all welcome

Coming to a venue near you from May 2017. Book now at catholicsuper.com.au/seminars or 1300 658 776 www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 San Sisto College 11 Opening with excitement

SAN Sisto College at Carina has an exciting Open Day planned for Sunday, san sisto facts May 21. Principal Shelley Hamilton is keen to Gender: Girls see “lots of eager young faces investi- Type: Day gating what the college has to offer”. Year range: 7-12 “Open Day is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience first-hand our Total enrolments: 700 holistic learning environment that drives Religious affiliation: Catholic academic achievement and our rich co-curricular program which ensures an Principal: Shelley Hamilton engaging and balanced education,” she Location: Carina said. The college has organised various [email protected] activities and displays for visitors of Email: Web: sansisto.qld.edu.au all ages, providing a unique snapshot Phone: (07) 3900 9800 of what it’s like to join the San Sisto community. Aditional information: Always popular are displays includ- l HPE ACHPER Innovative Program ing the HPE – Sport and Physical Award 2015 Enrichment, Drama, Languages – Japa- l 33 QCE subjects nese and Italian, Textiles, Art, Science, l 21 Authority subjects, 8 Authority-Regis- dress-ups in the Rose Retail Shop, and tered subjects, 4 Vocational subjects within the Humanities displays. Senior years San Sisto’s Home Economics depart- l 5 ensembles, 2 choirs and 2 bands l ment will keep younger visitors en- 13 sports l Extension and enrichment opportunities thralled, with girls creating their own Mr l Serviced by a number of bus routes Potato Head, and a barbecue and coffee cart will refresh those taking a rest and enjoying the Cecilia Square entertain- Learning excellence: San Sisto College is preparing a warm welcome for visitors on its Open Day. ment activities. The Science ice-cream activity and Social Justice chocolate stall also will have mouths watering. Open Day is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience Music and voice presentations of all kinds will be on offer, from ensembles to busking. With the smell of food and first-hand our holistic learning environment that drives academic the sound of music in the air, there will be plenty to see, experience, do, taste and listen to at Open Day 2017. achievement and our rich co-curricular program which ensures an For more information about regis- tering for the Open Day, visit www. sansisto.qld.edu.au. engaging and balanced education.

www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 12 Hot Topics

Tragedy: An injured boy stands amid rubble outside his home in 2014 after airstrikes in Aleppo, Syria. Photo: CNS/Ali Mustafa, EPA Any room for love? This is a testimony Fr Jacques “Peace be with you”. borders to Syrian refugees and welcomed them. Mourad gave at a recent He then engaged us in a long conversation, as This thirst Thousands of Syrians who have fled death though he was trying to get to know us better. have taken refuge in these countries because event in Paris for Aid to the And when I found the courage to ask him why for freedom is they long for life and yearn for liberty. Church in Need. we were being kept prisoner, I was surprised by Nonetheless, I cannot close my eyes to the his reply: “Look on it as a spiritual retreat”. not mine alone. It is contradictions we see in these countries at war. HOW did I – taken hostage by a We remained imprisoned in that bathroom for On the way towards freedom we must abso- 84 days. lutely ask ourselves this crucial question that group of jihadists, imprisoned for Almost every day they came into my cell and that of all the Pontius Pilate addressed to Christ: “What is almost five months, frequently interrogated me about my faith. truth?” threatened with beheading, and after I lived each day as though it was my last. But Syrian people. Having said that, he went out again to speak to witnessing the abduction and im- I did not waver. the Jews and declared to them, “I find no cause God granted me two things: silence and ami- joy and pain. for condemnation in him”. prisonment of 250 of my parishion- ability. Of joy because they never expected to see me Pilate represented the Roman Empire, a ers – respond to the experience of I was harangued, threatened several times with survive, and of pain because of the conditions in symbol of the whole world which has decided to my liberation? beheading, subjected to a mock execution for which we had met again. kill Christ. refusing to renounce my faith. Twenty days later, on September 1, they Was there any room for love in this experi- Nothing has changed. In those moments Our Lord’s words resonated brought us back to Karyatayn, free again, but ence? How long will we continue to refuse to under- within me: forbidden to leave the town. In Karyatayn (Al-Qaryatayn), I had been stand the message of our God? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my To put it another way, it was a return to life, ministering to all the people since the How much longer must our world go on being strength is made perfect in weakness…” but not yet to liberty. year 2000 and I was in charge of governed by little groups who seek only their And in the midst of this situa- But already a return to life – what a miracle! I the Syriac Catholic parish there, own self-interest? tion I was also happy to be able could not help but marvel at it. belonging to the Homs diocese. It is time to react against the fear of a third We were even allowed to celebrate our reli- And it was from Karyatayn to concretely live these words world war. that I was abducted. of Christ from St Matthew’s gious rites, on condition we did not advertise the The time has come for a revolution of peace, On May 21, a group of Gospel: “Love your enemies, fact. against violence, against the manufacture of masked and armed men bless those who curse you, A few days later, when one of my parishioners armaments, against governments who constantly invaded the monastery of do good to those who hate died of cancer, we went to the cemetery, close to find reasons for war throughout the world, but Mar Elian, which I was in you and pray for those who the monastery of Mar Elian. above all in the Middle East. charge of, taking me hostage ill-treat and persecute you.” It was only then that I discovered it had been Despite everything the humanitarian organisa- together with Boutros, who On August 4, 2015, the destroyed. tions are doing for the Syrian people, there are was then a postulant at the Islamic State took control of Strangely, I did not react. still families living in terrible conditions outside monastery. Karyatayn and then the next Three days later, on September 9, the feast of the refugee camps for lack of space. We were kept prisoner there in morning, at dawn, took hostage Mar Elian (St Julian of Edessa), I realised that They are not accepted there. the car in the middle of the desert for a group of Christians, about 250 Mar Elian had sacrificed his monastery and his They are homeless, they have nothing. four days, then they took us to Raqqa, where people, brought from a region close to tomb in order to save us. God is not only asking us to be sensitive to the we were imprisoned in a bathroom. Palmyra. On the evening of October 9, I sensed that the material needs of the poor. On the road to Raqqa … into the unknown, Obviously, we didn’t know anything about time had come to leave. We are presented with a people who are a phrase came to me and stayed with me which what was going on, since we had been cut off And the next morning, with the help of a suffering, a wounded people who are bearing a helped me to accept what was happening and to from the world. young Muslim man, I was able to flee from very, very heavy burden … who cry out with Je- abandon myself to the Lord: “I am journeying On August 11, a Saudi sheik came into our Karyatayn, despite the dangers it involved. sus on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have towards freedom ...” cell. And here again the merciful hand of God and you forsaken me?” – people who cry out with The presence of the Blessed Virgin, our He spoke to me, saying, “You are Baba the Virgin Mary protected and accompanied me. David in Psalm 51: “misericordias domini …”. Mother, and the prayer of the Rosary were my Jacques? Come with me! They’ve been battering Helped by this local Muslim man, I was able to This war must stop. other spiritual weapons. our ears talking about you!” pass through a checkpoint controlled by the jihad- We want to return to our ruined homes. On the eighth day a man in black, his face We drove through the desert for about four ists, without them recognising me or seizing me. We have the right to live, like everyone else in masked, came into our “cell”. hours. It was on that day, October 10, 2015, on that the world … At the sight of him I was terrified and I When we arrived in a compound enclosed by a desert road that the word “freedom” really came We want to live. thought my last hour had come. huge iron gate, the Christians of Karyatayn were home to me once more. ACN But instead, to my great surprise, he asked around me, astonished to see me. This thirst for freedom is not mine alone. It is my name and addressed me with their custom- It was a moment of unspeakable suffering for that of all the Syrian people. Freed: Fr Jacques Mourad. ary greeting: “Assalam aleïkum”, which means me, and for them an extraordinary moment of Many Western countries have opened their Photo: Aid to the Church in Need www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 13 World Day of Prayer for Vocations Radical and relevant: Religious life does make a difference

By Sr Melissa Dwyer THE more I reflect on the call to fol- low Jesus as a consecrated woman, the more convinced I am that reli- gious life is just as relevant and just as essential to the Church as it has ever been. Religious life is radical. Now more than ever, the Church needs young people who are ready to witness with the totality of their lives that Jesus is the most important thing for them. Now more than ever, the Church needs young people who are ready to stand for their faith, ir- respective of the challenges that they face. Now more than ever, the Church needs com- mitted people who are ready to risk everything for Christ and be open to go to the ends of the earth to serve those in greatest need. Many young people desire to make a differ- ence in the world. But perhaps they don’t realise that religious life is one concrete way of doing that. Opening your heart up to the unconditional love of Jesus and having the courage to push away from the shore with Jesus sets you on the adventure of a lifetime. Religious life is an opportunity to grow each and every day more in love with God, whilst living in a community of other religious who are also striving to follow Christ wherever He leads. The vocation to religious life is ultimately about an encounter. It’s about a life-changing encounter with Jesus Faithful together: Sr Melissa Dwyer (front left) with other members of the congregation of Canossian Sisters. that transforms the heart of someone. Once we meet Jesus and He speaks to our It is a privilege to be able to live my life com- When I first entered religious life I had no idea with all that I am. hearts, we are never the same as before. pletely for Jesus. of what this vocation was really all about. We each have one life to live. I want to make What’s even more exciting is that religious It is a privilege to live with a community Yet I continue to appreciate the beauty of the sure that I use every possible moment to spread life provides the avenue to have a daily trans- of other women on a mission of making Jesus daily journey of sitting at the feet of Jesus and the Good News. known and loved. discovering more about His call to follow. formative encounter with Jesus, allowing Him In whatever opportunities arise I want to to stretch and mould us in whatever way He Sometimes when we hear the word “vocation” The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience simply do the very best I can in deepening my desires. we think that one has to be perfect to even con- give me opportunities to grow in freedom from When speaking about religious life, Pope sider embarking on the journey of religious life. possessions, love without measure and complete love for God and allowing this love to transform Francis said, “The Church and the world have How far from the truth that is! trust in God’s will for me. the world. need of this testimony of the love and mercy of One of the saddest things is that many young At the end of it all, I love my life as a conse- If you want to make a difference, if you want God shown by religious. women feel a call to religious life but never have crated woman. to serve the poor, if you want to be radical in “Totally consecrated to God, they are totally the courage to give it a try. I love the opportunity every day to be avail- responding to the great gift of faith you have given over to their brethren, to carry the light of Attuned with a society that to a certain extent able for whoever God calls me to serve. received, consider religious life. Christ there where the darkness is thickest and to is afraid of commitment, young women some- I love the opportunity to witness to my faith, It’s a radical adventure of a lifetime. spread His hope to hearts who are discouraged.” times miss the opportunity to take the first step even without words. Where are you going? Follow Jesus. He is With the world rocked to its core by terrorism of exploring a religious vocation. I love the opportunity to ground my life in and threats of war, religious life becomes a sign Whilst sometimes it can be difficult for a prayer which invites me to allow my relationship more than enough. of hope and joy in the midst of despair. young person to discern which congregation to with Jesus to transform my life. In the midst of so much negativity that sur- join, there is a certain inner peace that comes I would never have expected my life to turn Sr Melissa Dwyer is a Canossian Sister rounds the Church, I believe living my life as a when one is in the right place. out the way it has. from Brisbane. She works for Vocations Bris- religious sister is a privilege. There’s no need to have all the answers at the Yet it’s exciting to dream of the possibilities bane. To find out more about religious life, It is a privilege to be able to serve the Church. beginning. ahead of me in continuing to love and serve God contact her at [email protected]

Vocations Talk All the baptised called to mission By Adam Burns “We are simply men and women touched and “Tenderness means to use our hands and our to spend itself in love.” transformed by the joy of God’s love, who can- heart to comfort the other, to take care of those This Sunday we are asked to pray for voca- DID you know that the Fourth Sunday of not keep this experience just to ourselves.” in need.” tions. But our prayer must extend to accom- Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, The fundamental definition of our own voca- Our lives, expressed through our vocation, paniment, especially with the young people in tion is to share God’s love with others. have a very real influence on others and in our is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations? our communities, as they undergo an authentic The call to mission is firstly an encourage- world. These days, just about anything is commemo- search for identity and meaning. ment to pray this Sunday for our own vocation. Specifically, because our vocation is pointed rated with a “World Day” (for example, in Not only does our Church need them, but We are all called, by virtue of our Baptism, to towards others, we are responsible for helping some parts of the world, May 3 is “Lumpy Rug they need the Church to speak to them, to ask be part of the Body of Christ in the world today. them discern God’s calling in their life. Day”), so our response might echo that of the them the big questions, to challenge them to All of us – priests, deacons, bishops, nuns, In his message for the World Day of Prayer more. crowd that Peter addresses in the first reading: sisters, brothers, consecrated, husbands, wives, for Vocations, Pope Francis further writes, “What are we to do?” (Acts 2:37). This Sunday our prayer is that the Lord would single people, young and old – are called to the “Dear brothers and sisters, today too, we can re- send out labourers into his harvest – and let us This World Day of Prayer for Vocations, mission to proclaim the Gospel in our world. gain fervour in preaching the Gospel and we can there is much to do. not be afraid to sow God’s love into the lives of What could this mission look like? encourage young people in particular to take up those we meet. In his message for this 54th World Day of In a recent address at the TED Conference in the path of Christian discipleship. Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis urges all Vancouver, Pope Francis suggested the mission “Despite a widespread sense that the faith is Christians to remember the essential call to mis- requires tenderness “… to use our eyes to see listless or reduced to mere ‘duties to discharge’, sion that is part of our vocation: “As disciples, the other, our ears to hear the other, to listen to our young people desire to discover the peren- By ADAM burns we do not receive the gift of God’s love for the children, the poor, those who are afraid of nial attraction of Jesus, to be challenged by his Adam Burns is a vocations our personal consolation, nor are we called to the future … to listen also to the silent cry of our words and actions, and to cherish the ideal that office for Vocation Brisbane. promote ourselves, or a business concern. common home, of our sick and polluted Earth. he holds out of a life that is fully human, happy www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 12 NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK Friends at Court a welcoming face in Noosa and Nambour Breaking down the ‘fear factor’ By Emilie Ng Mr Meadows said the Friends at Court often asked to help people who were filled with anxi- ety before the magistrate. COURTROOM nerves seem to dis- He said the “greatest reward” was a simple appear when Denis Meadows bares vote of thanks from people who he had helped. his endearing trademark smile at Almost five years ago, Mr Meadows was Noosa Magistrates Court. assisting a young builder who had been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The Noosa District Catholic parishioner is the The young man had been rebuilding a relation- co-ordinator of Friends at Court in Noosa and ship with his estranged father. Nambour, a volunteer-run outreach of Centac- The father and son would meet at a hotel on are’s Prisoner Service. Brisbane’s west for a meal once a week. Established in the early 1990s, Mr Meadows One week they chose to watch a match with said Friends at Court offered impartial support Australian boxer Anthony Mundine at a bar for people who appeared in court, the magis- trates and the police service. when a fight broke out. “We help the court structure to run smoothly,” The father was hit on the head with a chair and he said. his quick-thinking son drove him to hospital, but “We’re a smiling, friendly face to greet he was pulled over by the police and charged people.” with drink driving. Blessed volunteers: Beenleigh Court volunteers June Gale and Ann Raymond with Friends at Breaking down the “fear factor” that is often “He wasn’t going to explain to the magistrate Court co-ordinator for Noosa and Nambour Denis Meadows at the 2015 Centacare awards. paired with appearing at court is one of Mr that it wasn’t a normal habit that forced him in Meadows’ priorities on the job. that situation,” Mr Meadows said. The young man’s penalty was reduced after “We’re trying to break down the fear factor “I asked if I could explain that to the magis- the magistrate heard the nature of his offence. We’re a that a lot of people have when coming to court,” trate, and I did.” “In an act of solidarity, the young man put he said. Mr Meadows explained how the young man his hand around me and said, ‘Thank you’,” Mr “Our volunteers are the first faces that people chose to drive after drinking alcohol because of Meadows said. smiling, friendly summoned to attend the magistrates court will a “degree of urgency” to take his father to the “When he arrived at the court, he had no idea see before they arrive. hospital. that would happen.” face to greet “Some know their way around but others, they “He needed that picture to be painted to prove For more information about Noosa and Nam- are frightened and think they must be the worst to the magistrate that he wasn’t a habitual drink- bour Friends at Court email Denis Meadows at people (at court). person in the world.” driver,” he said. [email protected].

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING

If you would like to join our growing army of volunteers contact us on 1300 CENTACARE

www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 13 NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK Everyday people reaching out EVERY day at St Vincent’s Care Services communities across south- Playing im- east Queensland, dozens of everyday portant roles: people give up their time to make an “Our volun- teers come extraordinary difference to the lives from all walks of others. of life, from all different As a not-for-profit organisation, St Vincent’s backgrounds. Care Services relies on the generosity and Whether it’s compassion of volunteers to help deliver its someone extensive range of support services to seniors in who has a Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. particular skill they St Vincent’s Care Services is one of Aus- can share to tralia’s largest Catholic aged-care providers, improve one delivering exceptional care and support through of our facili- its residential aged care, in-home community ties, or school living and independent-living services. groups who St Vincent’s Care Services chief executive provide regu- lar compan- officer John Leahy said volunteers had long been ionship for an essential and cherished part of the organisa- our residents, tion. they all share “We take a holistic approach in how we the same support and care for our residents and clients, passion – to and our volunteers play an invaluable role in ensure our residents get achieving this by engaging in activities with our the most out residents and supporting our staff,” he said. of each and “Our volunteers really are the lifeblood of our every day.” organisation; they allow us to provide additional programs, projects and increased social interac- Leahy said. life, and it contributes to the positive, home-like and every day. tion for our residents, and they strengthen links Volunteering at a St Vincent’s Care Services environment at each of our communities,” Mr “Put simply, our appreciation for our volun- to our communities. facility or service not only benefits the residents Leahy said. teers cannot be overstated. What they give to our “Volunteering with St Vincent’s takes many and staff, but also benefits the volunteer, with “Our volunteers come from all walks of life, residents, staff and our organisation is excep- forms – whether it’s spending time with a resi- research showing volunteering is strongly asso- from all different backgrounds. Whether it’s tional, and we are incredibly grateful to them for dent playing board games or reading together, ciated with greater levels of health and happiness someone who has a particular skill they can assisting staff with administration tasks, or even (source: Volunteering Australia). “People enjoy share to improve one of our facilities, or school their contribution.” driving the village bus to transport residents to volunteering with St Vincent’s because of the groups who provide regular companionship for To find out how you can become a volunteer an event – we match your skills, passion and direct interaction with our residents. They can our residents, they all share the same passion – with St Vincent’s Care Services, email svcs. experience to a role best suited to you,” Mr see they are making a difference in someone’s to ensure our residents get the most out of each [email protected] or call 1800 778 767.

www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 16 Options

Gold in the dawning sun By Terry Lees The unforgettable look of love

THE time arrived and I rushed Pattie There was also the agitation as each of our to hospital for the birth of our first children became teenagers. Bringing up teenagers is a major challenge in child. itself. She was scared, but only seemed nervous. The growth though wasn’t just in the size of “Mr Cool, Calm and Collected” was churning our family; there was also the growth within Pat- up inside! tie and me and in our relationship. We held hands and all the while I tried to be Love as a force of nature is bigger than us; it’s encouraging and reassuring. all of those things St Paul says: “Love is always They took us to the delivery room which was patient and kind; … never jealous … not boastful my cue to leave. or conceited … never seeks its own advantage ... It was uncommon, in those days, for fathers to does not take offence or store up grievances … attend for births. Pattie had other ideas. does not rejoice at wrongdoing … finds its joy She had an iron grip on my hands and wasn’t in the truth ... always ready to make allowances, letting go. to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. I was given a medical gown and invited to stay. Love never comes to an end” (1 Corinthians The pain, the effort, everything Pattie went 13:1-13). through was incredible. There’s something about loving God with I recall telling her I’d never put her through our whole hearts that naturally­ flows into loving such an experience again. others. As the baby began to appear, I was asked to Perhaps because God has created­ us in his own step back, but not before I caught a glimpse of a image, there’s a picture of him, a treasure from tiny head, covered in thick black hair emerging him, in each of us. into the world. When we see each other, we see a reflection of When the baby arrived, the doctor said, “You the Lord. have a beautiful daughter”. The love you crave is already in your heart. And she was … wrapped in linen, she was You are love and can radiate love to others. given to Pattie to hold. Because I am love I can choose to show love. The look in Pattie’s eyes – sheer love – was Acknowledge the great love God has for something I’ll never forget. you by sharing it with each person whose path Our daughter Nyree Justine had arrived into Unforgettable: “The look in Pattie’s eyes – sheer love – was something I’ll never forget. Our crosses yours. our lives. daughter Nyree Justine had arrived into our lives.” My greatest teachers about love, apart from Jesus said, “When a woman is in labour, she God, are my loved ones. is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but was transformed from a wife to a mother. It wasn’t all easy sailing. As one of my precious memories, I can look when she has given birth to a child, she no longer An innate knowledge, instincts, skills and There were numerous speed-bumps along the back to the birth of our daughter and see, through remembers the pain because of her joy that a understanding kicked in, as if everything in her way, interspersed with seemingly insurmountable the eyes of my heart, the look of love of a mother child has been born into the world” (John 16:21). life had prepared her for this new role – a natural obstacles and no shortage of hazards and detours. for a child, and I still feel the awe. Our baby daughter didn’t come with an mother. We made mistakes – too many to count – and Have a golden day and treasure life! instruction manual; she did come with something I was in awe. certainly did things, with the benefit of hind- much better – she came with a mother. “… Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit sight, that might have been done differently. It was as if I witnessed two miracles that of the womb, a reward.” (Psalm 127:3) Yet, as a loving, caring family unit we met all amazing day. Over the next five years our family grew with challenges, including a few relocations, health by Terry Lees The first was the miracle of birth; the second, another daughter and two sons – despite my ear- matters that tested us, financial hardship, dilem- Terry Lees is a member the miracle of transformation. lier statement that I wouldn’t put Pattie through mas and experiences with potential to tear us of the Mount Isa Catholic Before my eyes the beautiful woman I married such a painful experience again. apart. parish. Prayer reflections for the week

The following prayer thoughts for the everything is to settle for less than God.” week are from Br Brian Grenier’s book May 10 – Memorial of St Damien de Veuster of Attend Unto Reading. Molokai

May 7 – Jesus and Women Nine years after arriving in Hawaii as a missionary, Belgian-born Fr Damien de Veuster went to live with the lepers living in abject Careful reading of the four gospels reveals that, at a time when poverty on Molokai. There he built a church and homes for them women had a very restricted role in Jewish society, Jesus never and encouraged them to sing. He ate with them, shared their life, treated any woman as inferior. There was room in his compas- dug their graves and fought with the government on their behalf for sionate heart for all women, but especially for the marginalised better conditions. In time he contracted the dreaded disease; but, as – pagan foreigners, schismatic Samaritans, widows, sinners, the he wrote to his bishop, “I am calm and resigned and very happy in ritually unclean and the poor. He included them the midst of my people.” A “martyr of charity”, he among his closest friends and, contrary to rabbinic died on April 15, 1889, and was canonised in 2009. strictures, among his disciples. Violating the law, he was prepared to speak to them in public and May 11 – Inculturation: Remembering even to make physical contact with them. He Matteo Ricci directed his teaching to women as well as to men. “Whatever is received is received after the fash- May 8 – Women and Jesus ion of the one receiving.” Respected by every good teacher and preacher, this philosophical axiom In considering the attitude of women towards guided the endeavours of Jesuit Matteo Ricci (d. Careful reading of the Jesus, we should note their courage and fidelity. May 11, 1610) in China. Sadly, not all missionaries four gospels reveals that, Jesus himself contrasts the faith of poor widows in foreign lands have taken account of the customs and despised women with the superficial faith and traditions of the people they served. The missi- at a time when women had a of the religious establishment. In contrast to the ologist Wahlbert Buhlmann OFM (Cap.) lamented pusillanimity of Jesus’ male disciples, women (as the fact that some of them on the African scene very restricted role in Jewish all four evangelists attest) stand by him on Calvary, sought to sow the seeds of the Gospel by trans- and they are present at his burial. They are also the planting the tree of European culture. In a global society, Jesus never treated any first witnesses to his resurrection and the first to Church the dialogue between faith and culture bring the Good News of Easter to the other disciples. A Samaritan must be on-going, not least in Australia. woman as inferior. woman held her own with him in Jesus’ longest recorded one-on- one conversation in the gospels (John 4). May 12 – Remembering Irena Sendler

May 9 – Costing Not Less Than Everything Irena Sendler, a nurse and social worker in the Polish Under- May 13 – Perseverance ground, smuggled 2500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, When rich people were ostentatiously contributing to the temple providing them with false identity documents. Eventually captured, When the musician Orpheus came to the underworld to plead treasury, Jesus drew his disciples’ attention to a poor widow whose tortured and sentenced to death, she evaded execution and died with King Pluto for the release of his departed wife Eurydice, the offering was but two small coins. He praised her saying, “All of on May 12, 2008, aged 98. If asked why she risked her life almost king agreed on the condition that he should not look back. He did them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her daily to save these children from annihilation, she might have so and Eurydice was lost to him forever. Lot’s wife suffered a poverty has put in everything she had to live on” (Mark 12:38-44). replied as another Polish woman did, “Because the time is now; and somewhat similar fate. As Christians, we are called to keep our eyes This woman calls to mind the widow who shared her last measure I am here”. For her the question requiring an answer was not “What constantly on the goal and, like Paul, to persevere in the faith to the of flour and oil with the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:10-16). It has will happen to me if I assist them?” but “What will happen to them end (see 2 Timothy 4:7). Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the been well said by one spiritual writer: “To offer God less than if I don’t?” plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Options17 Church is family of God Without a common faith, the Church is threatened by confusion and then, progressively, she can slide into dispersion and schism.

Spreading the Word: A catechist in Chad teaching from the Child’s Bible distributed by ACN. Cardinal Photo: Aid to the Church in Need Q: And what is the contribution of to continue generously supporting the great lisation. Certainly, like Christ, the Church the Church in Africa to the Universal missionary work of ACN throughout the cannot disassociate herself from the human Church today? world and particularly in Africa. For it is true problems. Besides, she has always helped Robert Sarah A: In this we are faithful to the ecclesiology that those bishops and priests who do not here through her schools, her universi- of the Epistle to the Ephesians: “So then take the time – at least for a few days – to ties, her training centres, her hospitals and Prefect of the Congregation you are no longer strangers and aliens, but place themselves in the presence of God dispensaries ... Nonetheless, I would like you are fellow citizens with the saints and in solitude, silence and prayer, risk dying on to cite to you the words of an Italian who for Divine Worship members of the household of God” (Ephe- the spiritual level, or at the very least, drying has converted to Islam (and there are over sians 2:19). And even though the Church in out spiritually within. For they will no longer a hundred thousand like him in Italy). His Northern Africa is very ancient, yet today the In an interview with the international be capable of providing solid spiritual nour- name is Yahya Pallavicini, and today he is Church in Sub-Saharan Africa sees herself ishment to the faithful entrusted to them if an imam, the President of CO.RE.IS (the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church as the missionary fruit and the daughter of they themselves do not draw strength from Islamic Religious Community) and a profes- in Need (ACN) the Prefect of the Congre- the Churches of the West. She still needs to the Lord in a regular and constant manner. sor at the Catholic University of Milan: “If gation for Divine Worship Cardinal Robert be able to rely on the theological, liturgical, the Church, with the obsession she has Sarah speaks about the contribution of the spiritual and in particular the monastic expe- Q: Should we also speak of the political today with the values of justice, social rights Church in Africa to the Universal Church, rience, and also on the financial support of problems? and the struggle against poverty, ends up about Islam in Africa and the world, about the Churches of the ancient Christianity of A: The Church is gravely mistaken as to as a result by forgetting her contemplative relations between the Church and politics, the West. For her part the Church that is in the nature of the real crisis if she thinks soul, she will fail in her mission and she and the challenges facing the Church in Af- Africa can humbly offer the West the mar- that her essential mission is to offer solu- will be abandoned by a great many of her rica. And he insists that “the Church needs vels that God has worked in her through the tions to all the political problems relating faithful, owing to the fact that they will no unity of faith, unity of doctrine, unity of Holy Spirit, and the tribulations that Jesus to justice, peace, poverty, the reception longer recognise in her what constitutes her moral teaching. It needs the primacy of the continues to endure in the sufferings and of migrants, etc. while neglecting evange- specific mission.” pope.” material needs of his faithful there. Q: What are the needs of the Church in Q: What is the relationship between Africa? the African Church and the Universal A: They are many: disease, wars, hunger, Church? the critical lack of educational and health- ST MARY A: Your question, as you put it to me, care structures. And then there are the presents me with something of a difficulty, toxic temptations of Western-born ideolo- because in reality the Church here in Africa gies – communism, gender ideology ... is part of the universal Church and thus OF THE CROSS Africa has become the dumping ground forms together with it a sole and single of contraceptive products, of weapons of Church. Hence there is no such thing as an mass destruction. And she is also the scene “African Church” and, as distinct from it, a of the organised theft of primary mineral “Universal Church”. Your question makes recources: it is to this end that they organ- it appear as if ecclesiology depends on a ise and plan the wars and foster disorder communion between the Churches, and in on the African continent. So it is that they Souvenir Print this you are correct. Nonetheless, we need exploit her natural resources in the absence to remember that the Universal Church is of any rules or laws. The world economic not a sort of federation of local churches. powers must stop pillaging the poor. They of Australia’s The Universal Church is symbolised and take advantage of their poverty and lack of represented by the Church of Rome, with education, and their own technology and First Saint the pope at its head, the successor of St financial wealth, in order to foment wars and Peter and the head of the apostolic college; loot the natural riches of the weaker nations hence it is she who has given birth to all the without financial resources. local churches and she who sustains them in the unity of faith and love. As St Ignatius Q: Does Islam represent a threat to of Antioch tells us (circa 110 AD) the Church the survival of the Catholic Church in of Rome is the “All-pure Church which pre- Africa? sides in charity”. Thus it is the profession of A: For many centuries Sub-Saharan Islam our common faith and our fidelity to Christ has co-existed peaceably and harmoni- Send your orders to: The Catholic Leader, GPO Box 282, Brisbane Q 4001 and his Gospel, in union with the pope, that ously with Christianity. On the other hand For special prices on multiple orders please contact Debbie Preuss on: enables the Church to live in communion. the Islam that takes the form of a political Ph: (07) 3324 3223 • Fax: (07) 3324 3298 • Email: [email protected] organisation, intent on imposing itself on the whole world, is indeed a threat, and not just Q. Is this absolutely essential in order to Africa. In fact it is above all a threat to the to avoid confusion? Can there not also societies of the European continent which exist national Churches? too often no longer have a true identity or a SUITABLE A: Without a common faith, the Church is religion. Those who deny the values of their FOR FRAMING threatened by confusion and then, progres- own tradition, culture and religion are con- 25cm H sively, she can slide into dispersion and demned to disappear, for they have lost all 20cm W schism. Today there is a grave risk of the their motivation, all their energy and even all fragmentation of the Church, of breaking up the will to fight to defend their own identity. the Mystical Body of Christ by insisting on the national identities of the Churches and Q: In what way can ACN, as a pontifical thus on their capacity to decide for them- foundation, still better help the Church I would like to order the above print including postage $16.45 (print $9.90 + $6.55 P&P) selves, above all, in the so crucial domain in Africa? of doctrine and morals. As Pope Benedict A: Today all the charitable organisations, Payment method: Cheque/money order enclosed XVI tells us: “It is clear that a Church does even the Catholic ones, are focused unilat- not grow by becoming individualised, by erally and exclusively on addressing situa- OR please debit my Visa Mastercard CVV separating on a national level, by closing tions of material poverty, but “man does not herself off within a specific cultural con- live by bread alone, but on every word that text, by giving herself an entirely cultural or comes from the mouth of God”, as Jesus national scope; instead the Church needs tells us (cf. Matthew 4:4). I therefore en- Signature ...... Exp Date ...... /...... to have unity of faith, unity of doctrine, unity courage ACN to give aid for the formation of moral teaching. She needs the primacy of priests, seminarians, male and female Name ...... of the pope, and his mission to confirm the religious, for catechists, for the construction Address...... faith of his brethren.” Besides, Africa has of churches and seminaries, and for spiritual always considered and seen the Church as retreats for bishops and priests. I humbly Email ...... Phone...... a family, the family of God. beg all the friends and benefactors of ACN www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 18 Education + religion

Anzac line- up: Corpo- ral Daniel Bromley and War- rant Officer James Keller with some of the young students at Our Lady of the Rosary School, Kenmore, during the school’s Anzac Day celebra- tion. Star-studded Anzac event ARMY personnel, priests and politicians joined staff, students and parents at Our Lady of the Rosary (OLR) School, Kenmore, for a Special interest: special Anzac Day assembly to help Students students recognise and understand at Our Lady of the service and sacrifice of Austral- the Rosary ia’s defence personnel. School, Kenmore, OLR parish priest Fr Mark Franklin, Federal are par- Member for Ryan Jane Prentice, State Member ticularly for Moggill Dr Christian Rowan and Pullen- interested vale Councillor Kate Richards joined guests of in seeing honour Major Laurie Hall (retired) and Warrant the bomb disposal Officer James Keller, 6th Engineering Support robot Regiment, and service personnel from the 6th that army engineering support regiment. personnel Warrant Officer Keller, a father of two OLR brought students, shared his personal perspectives on his along dur- service to his country, and on being a dad in the ing their defence force. visit to the school for The children were impressed with his stories Anzac Day of missions at home and abroad. celebra- His experiences span Afghanistan and Iraq, tions. but most recently Far North Queensland, where he was deployed with his engineering regiment dents a thrilling close encounter with a vehicle involved in the commemorations at OLR. even if it was the robot who stole the show.” to assist in the disaster management and clean- otherwise only experienced in video games. “After all, it is the same community that pro- Principal Andrew Oberthur said recognising up in the wake of Cyclone Debbie’s devastation. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer- vides such extraordinary support to my wife and the service and sacrifice of Australia’s defence But the stars of the show were undoubtedly ing and Maths) club relished the chance to see children when I am on deployment, so this was personnel and supporting defence families was the bomb disposal robot and army vehicles on a real-life bomb disposal robot and took the my way of giving something back to the OLR important to the school community. show for the children. soldiers through their paces with their barrage of school community,” he said. “Today’s event has been so powerful and has The armoured vehicle brought along by the questions. “I’m just glad the children had fun and got to left a lasting impression on our whole school 6th Engineering Support Regiment provided stu- Warrant Officer Keller said he enjoyed being take something valuable away from the morning, community,” he said. Everyone at St Augustine’s takes national day seriously ST Augustine’s School, Currumbin Waters, joined day with students from all year levels looking at Paying schools across Brisbane archdiocese to commemo- and reading the names and messages displayed. tribute: rate Anzac Day with a special tribute. “It is hoped that by engaging every member of St Au- gustine’s Every student and staff member was given a the school in a unifying activity we can bring about students poppy and a tag. On each tag were messages of a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere,” she said. created love and hope for peace in our world as well as the Ms Anderson said students from the school a special names of relatives and friends who were past or were also invited to lay wreaths at the dawn tribute to current members of Australia’s defence forces. service at Elephant Rock, Galleon Gardens RSL cele- Each tag was then attached to letters to spell out Retirement Village and the mid-morning service at brate the “Anzac Day” for display in the school’s central the Currumbin RSL club. 102nd anni- courtyard. She said on the eve of Anzac Day the Year 4 versary Assistant principal for religious education Diane class led the whole school through a ceremony of the Anderson said the central courtyard was a place which they had spent many hours rehearsing. Anzac where all students, staff and parents gathered each “The children take their role very seriously as landings morning. they recognise the significant contribution our at Gal- She said the display became a focal point every armed services members make every day,” she said. lipoli. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Family + religion19

Family Faith By Selina venier Shopping misadventures lead to holiness

HERE’S a very serious question. How many of you shop with your spouse or partner? I don’t mean to hold hands and wander the shops To put up with my without a care in the world, staring lovingly at each other and pondering which coffee shop to try; I mean changes of mind the good old grocery shop. Well, My Dearly Beloved and I hardly ever do, and and posing of new and the former, is rarer still, although I remember a time, vaguely, when moments to ponder coffee sojourns unexplored renovation and admire each other’s gaze was an actuality. Last week’s grocery-shopping event began with inclement weather. territory, My Dearly Outdoor work plans were cancelled and My Dearly Beloved wanted to do some of the seemingly exciting Beloved has the things I had planned. I didn’t mind; in fact, the more time to talk, the better, patience of a saint. even over the exorbitant price of broccoli. On the rare occasion we shop together, the reality is that much more enters the trolley than normal. Speaking of which and quite literally, the easiest And those additions have nothing much to do with decision to make was the kitchen sink. my taste buds because even outside of Lent, I’m not In fact, it was from that invaluable finding that the one with the sweet tooth or, to be perfectly blunt, henceforth all other decisions were made. sweet “teeth”. We literally drove home with everything “plus the Take Master Almost Four along for the ride as well, kitchen sink” that particular shopping day and the with his sweet teeth in tow, and the shopping trolley renovations continued, as they do today, no rifts starts to have a life of its own. Ah, the joys of such misadventure, and I find all my evident, only realisations about each other and a husband’s adult ponderings of this and that, beyond renewed ability to compromise and communicate. sugar, quite amusing. To put up with my changes of mind and posing of “Maybe this would be helpful?” he said of another new and unexplored renovation territory, My Dearly set of wrenches or something else I don’t quite know Beloved has the patience of a saint. the name of. Speaking of sainthood, in this month of Mary and Plus all those discount tickets also have his name, or celebration of her Queenship of the Church and of therefore, ours, on them. Heaven, let’s also recognise St Joseph for the rock My Dearly Beloved is the real bargain shopper of our of patience, compassion and commitment that he household. was. Thinking back, “shopping” together for household renovations wasn’t as fluid, neither as discounted. St Joseph kept on keeping on, his love for Mary Take the whole “select-a-benchtop-to-look-at-every- unwavering. day-from-henceforth-from-a-three-by-two-inch-rectan- I like to think of St Joseph, chip, chip, chipping gle-no-bigger-than-your-pinkie” thing. away at projects, on small and significant scales. Have you experienced this rigmarole, by yourself or I like to think that he was always ready to consider with another? where and how to renovate just as much as he pon- One would think taking an extra set of eyes to be dered the extraordinary task God set ahead him, as helpful, especially when faced with hundreds of those the foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary. little patterns, lovingly and carefully displayed as sam- (PET
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a sweet tooth or more, whatever that would have My Dearly Beloved and I share some like-minded- ButDPNNVOJUZ the consultant was too wise to do that and a looked like in their time? ness in taste and design but then some very “unlike- decision, eventually, was made. My Dearly Beloved would seriously like to think so. mindedness”. A little like the shopping trolley, the outcome for the Throw in my stubbornness and his Italian temper and
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this resource.” GBJUI Archbishop Mark Coleridge Phone our team on 3324 3555 Archbishop of Brisbane or email [email protected] Order now by˜¯€—˜¨Ÿ›¢¢›—›š phoning Selina on 0409 735 462 so we can tailor a package just for you. or visiting www.vineyardofthelord.com.au ϰ www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 20 Relationships + religion When Mercy is hard to do Our last column (“Bringing Mercy to mar- riage”) generated some interesting com- ments from readers on our blog so we thought we’d expand on the topic – what it is, what it isn’t and how to be merciful when your spouse is seriously flawed. ALL of us are prone to selfishness. The task of Christian maturity requires us to confront and tame our selfish tendencies in order for us to be Reconcil- ing: “For- free to truly love unconditionally. giveness We maintain that without a willingness to forgive, to bring is not the mercy into any marriage, then there is simply no future for it. same as As our colleague Christopher West noted: “The number one reconcilia- tion. Rec- ingredient of a successful marriage is mercy – large doses of it. onciliation “Two broken people trying to love one another until death is a requires a recipe for disaster without mercy.” restoration Everyday offences and deficits in our character make it necessary of relation- for every couple to practise mercy as a regular, even daily habit. ship and When we fail to do this, minor upsets accumulate into over- sometimes this is not whelming piles of resentment and shame that seem to be insur- wise or mountable. even pos- A number of readers raised the challenges of marital mercy; for sible.” example, how being merciful may enable the manipulative and selfish behaviour of a “narcissistic spouse” and so further damage They could be loving and gracious towards her, but as they no seek our spouse’s good. the mental health of the merciful spouse. longer expected her to be loving and generous towards them, they It’s important to remember that it is not our mercy that makes us There are a couple of important points to keep in mind in situa- were less vulnerable to being wounded. vulnerable to being hurt by our spouse, it is our (often inappropri- tions like this. In other words, their love for their sister was entirely benevolent. ate) expectations of them. The process of mercy for a couple necessarily involves forgive- They held hope for a deeper relationship but had no expectations. When we love with a benevolent love, we can be generous ness. It was a unilateral love – freely given, generous, gratuitous, without putting our interior well-being at risk. Personally and professionally, we’ve witnessed how transforma- much like the love a (well adjusted) parent might have for a child. We can love without conditions. tive forgiveness can be for the forgiving partner – it opens the door This kind of benevolent love is not the ideal for marriage. Is this hard? Oh yes! But it is necessary and indeed possible to healing and resolves inner turmoil with near instantaneous effect. In marriage we are called to intimate, reciprocal love – a love when we focus on deepening our faith. But forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. that both gives and receives from the other, a love that willingly Whether its mercy or unconditional love, you can’t give what Reconciliation requires a restoration of relationship and some- and joyfully seeks to meet the emotional, sexual and intellectual you haven’t received. times this is not wise or even possible. needs of the other. Pope Francis notes that showing mercy to others “assumes that It may be that the offending person is dead, incapacitated or Sometimes, however, intimate love like this is not possible for we ourselves have had the experience of being forgiven by God, emotionally too immature to accept their fault and participate in a couple. justified by his grace and not by our own merits … (that we) have the relationship as a peer. Perhaps illness or stress makes it unrealistic at this time or known a love that is prior to any of our own efforts, a love that Some time ago our friend was reeling yet again from a vicious perhaps a more permanent psychological or emotional condi- constantly opens doors, promotes and encourages. If we accept verbal attack on her husband by her sister. tion renders them unlikely to ever be able to maturely meet their that God’s love is unconditional, … then we will become capable It was all a misunderstanding on the sister’s part, but she was spouse’s legitimate needs. of showing boundless love (to others).” (Joy of Love 108) adamant that she wanted nothing to do with him ever again. Every married person will wrestle with the frustration of a spouse The way of mercy is not only the way of holiness, it is also the Both our friend and her husband were angry about the sister’s who fails to meet their expectations at some stage in their marriage. way of “wholeness”. behaviour but also longing to patch things up. Many times it’s simply due to our differences as men and women Forgive, not because your spouse deserves it, forgive them be- If it had been the first time, they could be reasonably encour- and we need to examine whether our expectations of the other are cause it makes you free: free to love, free to be in relationship with aged to do this. realistic, reasonable and appropriate (more on this at another time). a limited person without being chewed up in the process. But this was an entrenched pattern and it was clear that the sister Yet sometimes it may be due to a critical flaw in the other’s was sufficiently emotionally immature to be essentially incapable of character or psychological capacity. confronting her own weakness and truly dreadful behaviour. In the case of someone with a genuine Narcissistic Personality by francine and byron Instead, they chose to forgive, but not to trust nor expect recip- Disorder this is likely a permanent limitation. pirola rocal affection. This is also true of any number of other psychological, mental Francine and Byron Pirola are the co-au- thors of the SmartLoving series. Visit www. They maturely accepted that a genuine peer relationship was and intellectual disabilities. smartloving.org for information. simply not possible. The challenge for spouses in these situations is to reach deep While hard to do, they were able to be merciful without subject- into their interior reserves to bring benevolent love to their mar- ing themselves to ongoing harm. riage – to love the other without expectation that their spouse will Yes, it did take a little time to process this but, once they did, it meet their needs for intimacy and peer friendship, and perhaps a SPECIAL OFFER freed them to leave the door open for the sister to re-engage with number of other needs as well. Byron and Francine Pirola have a special offer from them if she chose, without them standing at the door waiting for Does this mean that couples should never separate? Does it SmartLoving for The Catholic Leader readers – access to her to show up. mean that battered spouses should put up with ongoing abuse? Byron and Francine’s new online course, BreakThrough at They were able to get on with life without feeling bitter. Absolutely not. a 50 per cent discount. Learn how to process resentment Although they still felt sad for their sister, whose impulsive and In some cases, a spouse must separate and put in place appropri- so that heartfelt forgiveness can spontaneously arise. snarky behaviour continued to rob her of peace, their own peace ate safeguards to limit the abusing spouse. Go to www.smartloving.org/breakthrough and use the was intact. But that doesn’t release them from the obligation of benevolent coupon code: divine-mercy at the checkout. It also gave them a kind of immunisation against the sister’s love. Be quick. This offer is only available to the first 20 enrol- ments. attacks. Benevolent love demands that, together or separated, we always

www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Your Daily Bread21 Skype, eye contact and the gaze of Christ HUDDLED in a sodden tent with my best friend’s family, wind howl- ing like a ravenous dog on the shore- line, I was pretty sure I’d never see my parents again. At age nine, I hadn’t yet realised that rain doesn’t cause tsunamis, and so it only took about four seconds for the first bolt of lightning across the sea to convince me that this camping trip would end in certain death. The more terrifying thing, though – the thing that made my blood run cold – was that I had forgotten what my parents looked like. After a mere two days away from home, I was drawing a blank – how did Dad smile? What colour were Mum’s eyes again? Miraculously, I had packed a photo, and it was this I clung to as I fell asleep, reassured that, should I perish before morning, I had at least seen their faces one last time. We survived the saturated camping trip. But it wasn’t the last time I felt my blood chill at the thought that I couldn’t remember what my parents looked like. Now living overseas for the fourth year in a row, I’m grateful for the technologies my parents and I rely on: digital photo albums stretching from my childhood to this Christmas; easy ac- cess to Skype and Facetime. But there’s still a barrier – the stagnancy of the photos, the indirectness of eye contact through a Contact: “Eye contact confirms our humanity. We acknowledge that others exist when we meet their eyes.” webcam. edly draw our attention to Jesus’ eyes? the intimate connection we discover with some- them as they moved around a room. There’s an extent to which, like the photo I clung to on a stormy night in 2006, they can From “Jesus looked at him and loved him,” one who, in the flesh, gazes upon us with love. They were really there (three-dimensional and never serve the same purpose as the real faces of (Mark 10:21) to “Jesus turned and saw her,” It’s why Eucharistic Adoration is so powerful: everything!), and they were captivating. the ones I love. (Matthew 9:22) to “Jesus looked intently at we look at Him looking at us, loving us. On those days when God’s feeling a bit Eye contact confirms our humanity. them” (Luke 20:17) we have the chance to jour- It’s why I love reading through the Gospels distant, don’t settle for Skype – go be with Him We acknowledge that others exist when we ney with an observant, present God. with the specific intention of tracing Jesus’ eye face-to-face. meet their eyes. He looks, and sees, and meets our gaze. contact: we see that he sees us. Eye contact reminds us of His three-dimen- We connect with them, perhaps even at the He confirms the dignity of our humanity, and And we see how he sees others. sional love. level of empathy or intimacy. connects intimately with it. If we spend our lives relying on spiritual pho- Rehearsing for the Sound of Music in Year 12, For me, the eye contact of Christ remains one tographs – foggy memories of that time we gave of the most compelling aspects of the Incarna- our life to Jesus, or “caricature-ish” notions of a the director forced my co-actor and me to spend by kate gilday 10 minutes in unflinching eye contact until we tion. God who can’t really journey intimately with us stopped giggling at how awkward we felt. As much as a Skype date with or crumpled – we deny ourselves the fullness of relationship. Kate Gilday is a student at Eye contact links souls. photo of a loved one appeases something of the My parents visited a few weeks ago, and I the University of Queens- Is it any wonder, then, that the Gospels repeat- need for human contact within us, it cannot rival caught myself from time to time just watching land.

Fifth Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Easter SAINTLY LIFE May 18 May 7 First Reading: Acts 6:1-7 First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9 Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20b-25 Sts Nereus and Achilleus Gospel: John 14:1-12 Gospel: John 10:1-10

NEREUS and Achilleus were martyrs in the first century. Next Sunday’s readings By Fr John Reilly SJ An account of the lives of the two NEXT Sunday’s Gospel Reading, the The reply of Jesus to Thomas is pro- says they were soldiers in the Roman Fifth Sunday of Easter, is from the Gospel found: I am the way. army and that they helped carry out of John, as it is throughout all the Sundays A way of truth and life, the only way to the persecution of Christians. of Easter Time. God, the way Jesus lives. It is thought that they were follow- Many people have come to realise Truth in the Hebrew sense – fidelity. ing orders in fear for their own lives. John’s Gospel is a profound meditation on God’s fidelity to Jesus and Jesus’ fidelity It is also reported that they were the person of Jesus. to God. converted to Christianity by a “miracle In this Gospel, Christians of the First Life, a life that is love! God’s love for of faith”. Century share with us their faith in Jesus, Jesus and Jesus’ love for God. how they experience him in their lives as Question Three. Philip asks Jesus to After this miracle, they discarded the risen and cosmic Christ. their weapons and escaped. Great show them God, but Jesus asks Philip how They share with us in an imaginative after all the time he has been with Jesus Knowing full well what they were in man: St Athanasius way how they believed and understood he does not really know Jesus. for, they proceeded to martyrdom for the Great, the uniquely intimate relation of Jesus to Jesus – a human being totally open to their new faith. painting by God, the one whom he called the Father. God, filled with the divine reality of God’s Some accounts say that these two the Cretan This is especially true of the 12 verses faithful love for the world and for every soldiers may have been baptised by School. that begin the 14th chapter of John’s Gos- single person. St Peter. pel that we will read next Sunday. We come to know Jesus only by living Jesus is talking in a familiar way with his The Church has honoured them as as he lived his humanity. disciples after he has shared his last meal Question Four. Jesus asks Philip how martyrs since the fourth century. with them, on the night before he died a he can ask for Jesus to show them the Their feast day is on May 12. terrible death by crucifixion. FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Father? Jesus shares from his heart his own Jesus himself is the human face of the Friday - Sts Nereus and Achilleus deep faith relation with God and his fore- boding for the future. Father. Roman soldiers martyred in first century “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Question Five is the most challenging Saturday - Our Lady of Fatima Never let anxiety or fear fill your hearts. of all. Do you, my disciples, believe that I live Mary appeared to three children in 1917 You believe in God, continue to believe in me, no matter what happens to me. and act in God and God lives and acts in Five searching questions punctuate the me? conversation that follows, some from his We believe in Jesus, now a risen and disciples, some from Jesus himself. cosmic Christ with God, only when we Question One. Jesus asks his disciples live this mystery in ourselves, doing what how he could have told them that he is Jesus did, and even more. going to prepare places for them all, if there were not different places for them all in his Father’s house, in God’s dwelling? Question Two. Jesus says his disciples The Catholic Leader’s contributor Jesuit know the way to where he is going, but Father John Reilly died on March 15. This Thomas asks how, when they do not know commentary on the readings was written in where Jesus is going. 2014. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 22 News Unmask violence purporting to be holy, Pope Francis tells religious leaders in Egypt

Peaceful embrace: Pope Francis embraces grand imam of al-Azhar University Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb at a conference on international peace in Cairo on April 28. The Pope was making a two-day visit to Egypt.

Photo: CNS/Paul Haring Peace alone is holy CALLING his visit to Egypt a jour- Religious leaders had a duty to respect every- hatred incompatible, he said, faith that was not audience stand for a minute’s silence to com- one’s religious identity and have “the courage to “born of sincere heart and authentic love toward memorate the victims of terrorism in Egypt and ney of “unity and fraternity”, Pope accept differences”, he said in the talk that was the merciful God” was nothing more than a globally, regardless of their religions. Francis launched a powerful call to interrupted by applause several times. social construct “that does not liberate man, but “We should not hold religion accountable for the nation’s religious leaders to ex- Those who belonged to a different culture or crushes him”. the crimes of any small group of followers,” he pose violence masquerading as holy religion “should not be seen or treated as en- Christians, too, must treat everyone as brother said. emies, but rather welcomed as fellow-travellers”, and sister if they were to truly pray to God, the “For example, Islam is not a religion of ter- and condemn religiously inspired he said. father of all humanity, the Pope said. rorism” just because a small group of fanatics hatred as an idolatrous caricature of Religion needed to take its sacred and es- “It is of little or no use to raise our voices and “ignorantly” misinterpret texts of the Quran to God. sential place in the world as a reminder of the run about to find weapons for our protection,” support their hatred. “great questions about the meaning of life” and he said. The security surrounding the Pope’s arrival “Peace alone, therefore, is holy, and no act of humanity’s ultimate calling. “What is needed today are peacemakers, not seemed typical of many papal trips even though violence can be perpetrated in the name of God, “We are not meant to spend all of our energies fomenters of conflict; firefighters, not arsonists; the country was also in the midst of a govern- for it would profane his name,” the Pope told on the uncertain and shifting affairs of this world, preachers of reconciliation and not instigators of ment-declared three-month state of emergency Muslim and Christian leaders at an international but to journey toward the absolute,” he said. destruction.” following the bombing of two Coptic Orthodox peace conference on April 28. He emphasised that religion “is not a problem, The Pope again appealed for people to address churches on Palm Sunday. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Con- but a part of the solution” because it helped peo- the root causes of terrorism, like poverty and The attacks, for which Islamic State claimed stantinople was in attendance. ple lift their hearts toward God “in order to learn exploitation, and to stop the flow of weapons and responsibility, left 44 people dead and 70 more Pope Francis also warned of attempts to fight how to build the city of man”. money to those who provoked violence. injured. violence with violence, saying “every unilateral Egypt was the land where God gave Moses “Only by bringing into the light of day the Egypt Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and other action that does not promote constructive and the Ten Commandments, which included “Thou murky maneuvrings that feed the cancer of war Egyptian officials warmly greeted Pope Francis shared processes is, in reality, a gift to the propo- shalt not kill”, the Pope said. can its real causes be prevented,” he said. on the airport red carpet after the Pope disem- nents of radicalism and violence”. God “exhorts us to reject the way of violence Education and a wisdom that was open, barked from the plane. The Pope began a two-day visit to Cairo by as the necessary condition for every earthly curious and humble were key, he said, saying They walked together, chatting animatedly, to speaking at a gathering organised by Egypt’s al- covenant”. properly formed young people can grow tall like the VIP hall of Cairo International Airport, then Azhar University, Sunni Islam’s highest institute “Violence is the negation of every authentic strong trees turning “the polluted air of hatred the pontiff was whisked off to the presidential of learning. religious expression,” he said. into the oxygen of fraternity”. palace to meet Mr el-Sissi at the start of his brief He told reporters on the papal flight from “As religious leaders, we are called, there- He called on all of Egypt to continue its lega- 27-hour visit. Rome that the trip was significant for the fact fore, to unmask the violence that masquerades cy of being a land of civilisation and covenant so Pope Francis repeated his calls for strengthen- that he was invited by the grand imam of as purported sanctity and is based more on the it can contribute to peace for its own people and ing peace in his speech to hundreds of officials al-Azhar Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb; Egyptian ‘absolutising’ of selfishness than on authentic the whole Middle East. representing government, the diplomatic corps, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi; Coptic Orthodox openness to the absolute. The challenge of turning today’s “incivility of civil society and culture. Pope Tawadros II; and Coptic Catholic Patriarch “We have an obligation to denounce violations conflict” into a “civility of encounter” demanded “No civilised society can be built without Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak of Alexandria. of human dignity and human rights, to expose that “we, Christians, Muslims and all believers, repudiating every ideology of evil, violence Having the four leaders invite him for the trip attempts to justify every form of hatred in the are called to offer our specific contribution” as and extremism that presumes to suppress others showed it was “a trip of unity and fraternity” that name of religion and to condemn these attempts brothers and sisters living all under the one and and to annihilate diversity by manipulating and would be “quite, quite intense” over the next two as idolatrous caricatures of God.” same sun of a merciful God. profaning the sacred name of God,” he said. days, he said. God was holy, the Pope said, and “he is the The Pope and Sheik el-Tayeb embraced after History did not forgive those who talked about Greeted with a standing ovation and a few God of peace”. the sheik gave his introductory address, which justice and equality, and then practised the op- scattered shouts of “viva il papa” (long live the He asked everyone at the al-Azhar confer- emphasised that only false notions of religion, posite, he said. pope), the Pope later greeted conference partici- ence to say “once more, a firm and clear ‘No!’ including Islam, led to violence. It was a duty to “unmask the peddlers of illu- pants saying, “Peace be with you” in Arabic. to every form of violence, vengeance and hatred The grand imam expressed gratitude for the sions about the afterlife” and who robbed people He gave a 23-minute talk highlighting Egypt’s carried out in the name of religion or in the name Pope’s remarks in which he rejected the associa- of their lives and took away their ability to great and “glorious history” as a land of civilisa- of God”. tion of Islam with terror. “choose freely and believe responsibly”. tion, wisdom and faith in God. Not only were faith and violence, belief and The sheik began his speech by requesting the CNS www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Conversations2323 Pope prays for Venezuelan protesters Prayer List This month pope’s intentions

Christians in Africa – That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconcilia- tion, justice and peace. This week

North Korea – International tensions continue around North Korean threats to use long-range missiles.

Venezuela – Thirty people have died in anti-government protests as the country descends into chaos after years of food shortages. Pope Francis has prayed for those who have died in the protests and for an end to the bloodshed.

Egypt – People around the world prayed for the safety and protection of Pope Fran- cis during his visit last weekend to Egypt, and for the success of the visit. Now they are giving thanks after he returned safely to the Vatican.

Syria – At least 11 people have been killed by barrel bombs dropped by Syr- ian Government helicopters following a weekend of violence and protests across Mourning: People in Caracas, Venezuela, hold crosses on April 29 during a vigil for those killed during protests against President Nicolas Madu- the country last weekend. ro’s government there. Pope Francis has prayed for those who died during the protests. Photo: CNS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Reuters

the Philippines, that squatter camps bring. No, because of our human nature. From throughout the New Testament (cf. Tondo, and other squatter camps like it, are a But a greater promotion of humility and a love John, Chapter 1) we know for certain that Have your Say disgrace, humiliation and embarrassment upon a for others would surely be a step in the right “Christ is the true light that came into the proud nation like the Philippines. direction. world”. The people in them should be properly housed, Hence, after Him, there can be no “Enlighten- Post: GPO Box 282, and the camps demolished, and then the Philip- Missing tabernacle ment”, only false prophets who teach a different Brisbane, QLD 4001 pines can start to proudly hold its head high, like gospel. @ Japan and Singapore, among the progressive FAX: 07 3236 4897 POPE Francis often speaks of our need to be Marvels of Gothic architecture alone – Char- economies of Asia. “close to the Eucharist”, and tres as a prime example – give the lie to the [email protected] Duterte’s criticism of the Catholic Church is a in an address to the Eucharis- Cedric pathetic failure. tic Congress in Genoa in July well-marketed nonsense that the great mediaeval Wright Ages of Faith might metamorphose somehow facebook.com/TheCatholicLeader If it were not for the Catholic Church, there Mt Warren, last year, he described the would be no nation called the Philippines. Qld Blessed Sacrament as “the into the “Dark Ages”. twitter.com/TheCatholicLead The Catholic Church is the foundational in- infinite love of Christ and Christianity alone had lifted the true horror stitution that holds the Philippines together, in a his mercy, preserved in our of paganism, which we now have largely fallen society that sees government as a totally corrupt churches”. back into – read, see, hear the daily news – to joke. In November last year, the Holy Father said magnificently focus on the Divine – truly, a very Poverty the problem in a public address that many Christians had blessed period producing many saints. “somehow lost the sense of worship”, creating a How many schools and universities these days tendency to see our parish church simply “as a THE Page 16 of The Seeking humility offer the truth that only “original-documents his- place where we come together”. tory” provide? Any? Catholic Leader of April 30 The supreme manifestation of God’s love Name To refute Mark Latham and others who say withheld rightly condemns the poli- FOR some reason the letter is present in every Mass, and present in every Brisbane, cies of Philippine President Richard K. “Scapegoat meaning” (CL tabernacle in every church throughout the world, Western civilisation arose from this false “En- QLD Rodrigo Duterte, in turning Tiainen 30/4/17) brought to mind a lightenment”, I suggest reference to prize-win- Holland Park and our revered Pope is tacitly voicing something a blind eye to “drug related” quote I recently noted – “Ar- that most devout Catholics long for – the return ning historian Thomas E. Woods’ superb How executions in that country. West, rogance is the habitual over- QLD of the tabernacle, our God, to the position of the Catholic Church Built Western Civilisation, Duterte was earlier in estimating of one’s abilities honour above the altar which it occupied before and similar authors. his career connected with the so-called “Davao while underestimating the Vatican II. The priceless pearl is Christ and the histori- Death Squad” when he was mayor of the city of abilities of others”. In nearly all Catholic churches today, the cally true and observed Catholic faith, not any Davao sanctioning murder of crime suspects. As I look back over my life from childhood to Blessed Sacrament is banished to a side chapel or mythical so-named false “Enlightenment”, Despite the actions of the “Davao Death school days to friendships to relationships to em- out-of-sight recess. which, much like Darwin’s unproveable theory Squad”, Davao still ranks first among 15 cities in ployment history to retirement I see that I have While this does create a separate holy place, of evolution, has established itself in the modern the Philippines for murder, and second for rape, become more aware of the word “arrogance”. where we can practise private devotions? consciousness and thereby blinds society to real according to police crime data from 2010 to Like “convenience”, arrogance can so easily It robs the body of the Church of its most 2015, so killing crime suspects has no impact on manifest itself in anyone’s life-span. treasured and important feature, and is a major goodness and unequivocal truth. reducing crime, perhaps even the reverse. This, I believe, is because it lies at the root of reason for the fall-off in devotion which has Even if one can excuse the death penalty, even so many human sentiments such as envy, jeal- tormented the Church for the past half-century. The views expressed in the Letters to the Edi- tor are not necessarily endorsed by and do not without trial, (extrajudicial killing), that is not ousy, possessiveness, greed, lust, competitive- May we appeal to our Archbishop – please, necessarily represent the views of The Catholic even the question here. ness, self-pride and superiority. bring back the tabernacle in our churches. Leader or the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Letters As the extrajudicial killings have gathered How many friendships have been lost because If we set the example, others are sure to follow are submitted on the condition The Catho- pace in recent months, an increasing number of of one person’s feeling of envy and jealousy – and we can be sure that the Holy Father will lic Leader may edit them in a manner which meets publication and style requirements. people without involvement in the drugs trade towards another? approve. have died – including cases of mistaken identity, How many relationships have floundered be- unlucky bystanders, and the friends and children cause of one person’s unbridled feelings of lust? Christ our Light No-name letters of the apparent target. How many workers have gone home at the end As a person who regularly travels to the of their day worn out not because of their work CURRENT society seems brainwashed and in- THE Catholic Leader reminds writers to Have Philippines as a foreign aid worker, to a squatter demands but because of the over-competitive ured against historical truth. Your Say that letters should carry a name, camp, I am of the firm opinion that drug abuse environment within which they have to work? Hence many push and address and contact telephone number. J. Loring We receive many letters from anonymous and drug dealing in the Philippines is created by How many school children have sunken into Taigum, Qld choose to believe, for exam- poverty. serious depths of frustration and despair as vic- ple, that the 18th century En- writers requesting publication. Without your Duterte would be far better tackling the cause tims of bullying and competitiveness? lightenment liberated western name and contact details this is not possible. We will not usually publish a letter that has of drug abuse, which is poverty, rather than kill- Arrogance has been defined as “lordly” (Col- society from “the horrors of already appeared in another newspaper, ing the victims. lins Dictionary). religious oppression”. neither will we normally publish anything If he would clean up places like Tondo in This description is a long way from “Lord-ly” Clearly, this is false. which is more than 400 words. Manila and re-house the people from this filthy as we Christians know it. It is closely associated with the bloody French We routinely edit contributions for defa- slum, he would clean out the drug problem also, Our Lord preached everything but lordliness revolution with its supercilious ideals of “liberty, mation, grammar, prolixity, coherence and create employment in an impoverished area, and (in the secular sense). fraternity and equality”, which still pollute our style. most importantly, remove the national shame to Can arrogance be eliminated from our society? society today. www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 24 Regional - Townsville

Something to sing about: Stu- dents sing- ing at the blessing at the site of St Benedict’s Catholic School. Blessing for new St Benedict’s THE site of St Benedict’s Catholic School in Townsville was blessed on April 19 to mark the start of stage one of construction. St Benedict’s Catholic School principal Penny Collins said it was an important milestone for the school. “Stage One will include nine classrooms, administration block, canteen, sports area, technology space and learning support,” she said. “The new school will strive to foster an environment that actively encourages student involvement in the learning process.” Jackson Semler will construct the multi-million-dollar building, with construction due to be completed in December, ready for the 2018 school year. The Kindergarten-to-Year 6 school will boost education op- portunities in Townsville’s northern suburbs. Enrolments opened in February and first-round offers will be made this month. Ms Collins said the school had started the interview process. “We have had a lot of interest in enrolment at St Ben- edict’s,” she said. “We are hoping for approximately 100-160 students in our Ready to first year with the capacity to grow to 700 students eventu- roll: Fr Dave Lancini ally.” blesses the Townsville Catholic Education is aiming for a 5 Green Star site of St rating in the design of the school, which will minimise the Benedict’s environmental footprint and build a better future for the whole Catholic community. School in – Nancy Webb Townsville.

Order yours from The Catholic Leader, GPO Box 282, Brisbane Q 4001 CatholicTHE Leader Ph: (07) 3324 3223 • Fax: (07) 3224 3298 • Email: [email protected] Quantity Cost officiaL porTraiT offer A4 size I would like to order . . . . . A4 at $15 ea including P&P $ ......

(210 x 297mm) pope francis $15* TOTAL $ ...... Payment method: Cheque/money order enclosed This full colour portrait of Our Holy Father OR please debit my Visa Mastercard CVV is suitable for framing *Inc P&H! and hanging in churches, Printed on quality presbyteries, schools, 150gsm gloss stock. Signature ...... Exp Date . . . . / . . . . convents, monasteries, Fade resistant. Name (Block Letters Please) ...... at home and elsewhere. Address ...... Email ...... Phone ...... www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Arts + entertainment25 Tackling big questions THE SHACK: Starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw, Radha Mitchell, Graham Greene. Directed by Stuart Hazeldine. 132 minutes By John Mulderig THE Shack, director Stuart Hazel- dine’s screen version of William Paul Young’s best-selling novel, represents a serious effort to tackle the problem of evil from a Christian perspective. As such, it will be wel- comed by believers. Objectionable elements are virtually absent from the film, however, patches of dialogue discounting the value of religion – here Film implicitly set in opposition to faith broadly speak- ing – and hinting that God is indifferent to how we worship him mean that impressionable viewers should keep their distance. So, too, does the morally problematic treat- ment of a dark and long-kept secret. After his young daughter Missy (Amelie Eve) is abducted and murdered, previously devout church-goer Mackenzie “Mack” Phillips (Sam Worthington) has a crisis of faith. But a note from “Papa”, his wife Nan’s (Radha Mitchell) nickname for God, leads to an encounter with the Trinity near the titular hideout where evidence of Missy’s death was uncovered that alters his perspective. Octavia Spencer plays an unflappable, warm- hearted God the Father; Avraham Aviv Alush, a fun-loving Jesus; and Sumire, a serene Holy Spirit. As one bakes, the second gardens and the third tinkers in his carpentry shed, Mack learns to see Place of beauty: “Papa” (Octavia Spencer) and “Mack” (Sam Worthington) in one of the beautiful settings featured in The Shack. Photo: CNS his own tragedy as a spiritual death that offers the prospect of resurrection. The narrative’s brief descent from non-de- from bogging down in sentimentality. terpiece Paradise Lost, namely, “to justify the While some may be uncomfortable with nominationalism into outright indifferentism and But the script, penned by John Fusco, Andrew ways of God to men”. the fact that both the Father and the Holy its suggestion that religion is “too much work” Lanham and Destin Cretton, takes on too many The film contains scenes of domestic violence Spirit manifest themselves to the protagonist as are more substantial defects. weighty subjects – from the suffering of in- and mature themes requiring careful discern- women, given that they would be free to do so in While Mack has much to forgive, moreover, nocents to the need for forgiveness – to treat any whatever guise they chose, this is no real objec- he has a shocking crime in his own background one of them in a fully satisfying way. ment. tion – all the more so since Spencer’s character that the movie seems to excuse too easily. Still, on the whole, this is an intriguing eventually morphs, when it seems advisable, into Beautiful settings and a sense of humour help endeavour to accomplish the same goal British John Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic a paternal Graham Greene. to keep the somewhat over-long proceedings poet John Milton set himself in writing his mas- News Service. Sources found to support Gospel truth

THE CASE FOR JESUS: THE and carefully thought out argument in 13 short on all people on earth. discourses of Jesus. BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL developmental chapters. Pitre’s research addresses the following ques- The sixth and seventh chapters deal with the Many of the false claims and assumptions tions: “Were the Gospels by anonymous writers chronology of the Gospels, the stages of their EVIDENCE FOR CHRIST made about Jesus in the sensationalistic writ- and are they folklore or biographies? formation and their historical reliability while Dr Brant Pitre; Image, New ings and teachings of several contemporary “Did Jesus claim to be God? including reference to the Acts of the Apostles York; 2016 theologians and scholars are exposed. “Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels or only in and the writings of St Paul. Significantly, Pitre uses much often neglected the Gospel of John? The heart of Pire’s research unfolds in the evidence from ancient manuscripts including “Did Jesus fulfil the Jewish prophecies of the Reviewed by Barbara Flynn ninth and 10th chapters. the Hebrew Bible; the Greek New Testament; long awaited Messiah? ancient Jewish writings outside the Christian “Why was Jesus crucified He explores the questions: DURING his undergraduate years, Brant Pitre, Bible; and the works of the early Church and what is the evidence for “Who was Jesus of Nazareth?” now a professor of Sacred Scripture at Notre Fathers. the Resurrection?” and “Did Jesus of Nazareth Dame University, was He wisely includes references from a wide In chapters two, three and claim to be God?” challenged by the writings range of resources particularly the Christian, four, Pitre discusses available Pitre’s answers are informed of scholars and theologians Hebrew and early Greek scriptures. evidence on the authorship by up-to-date scholarship and who repeatedly questioned These sources provide an enriching opportu- and titles of the four Gospels have enormous historical and the historical truth of the Book nity to probe “hidden depths of original mean- showing the decision-making theological implications for Gospels. ings” of scriptures from the Old Testament and involvement of the early Christiantity and for under- Many taught that the the New. Church fathers. standing the crucifixion and the Gospels were originally Pitre insists that accurate translation from Using surviving Greek resurrection, which are then anonymous. the Hebrew and Greek texts are foundational to manuscripts he provides charts Disturbed by the frequency of such false discussed in the 11th and 12th acquiring the truth about Jesus. showing the titles. chapters. claims, Dr Pitre, in his desire to verify and The Case For Jesus gives “a meticulous pres- He indicates that for the Pitre has developed a well- defend his personal beliefs and offer reasons entation of the evidence about the reliability first 1800 years the Gospels for what Christians believe, decided to study of the Gospels” and offers insights into Jesus’ were read as biographies, St reasoned case for Jesus, and his in depth all available biblical and historical self-understanding that is the secret of Jesus’ Augustine describing them painstaking research illustrates sources of the Gospels. divinity. “as trustworthy testimonies the necessity of being familiar Encouraged and affirmed in his desire by The crucifixion of Jesus and His subsequent based on remembrance of the with the Jewish roots of the then Fr Robert Barron, now a bishop, to place resurrection are interpreted through material disciples”. Gospels in order to be truth- the truth particularly into the student arena and available from sections of the Hebrew Scrip- A pertinent reference to the authorship of the fully informed. to offer his defence to a wide audience, he ef- tures. four Gospels made no claim to literary accuracy ficiently recorded his research findings. God’s actions towards humanity through in the manner of a recorded manuscript but they This book is available at St Pauls Book He presents his coherent, understandable these two significant events in Jesus’ life impact do claim to correctly render the substance of the Centre, Brisbane, and www.amazon.com www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 26 Extra Pet of the week in the kitchen May 13 is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, which celebrates how Our Lady appeared to three Portuguese children in 1917. This Portuguese receipe is of- fered in honour of the feast day. COLOUR OF LIFE Our Lady of Fatima, May 13 Our Lady appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and Octo- ber 13 in 1917.

PORTUGUESE TRINCHADO (Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS 2-3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce or 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce 1-2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons margarine 3 tablespoons olive oil 1kg cubed beef 2 large onions, chopped 3-4 small hot red chili peppers, stemmed MEET Jackie, “the action and adventure and chopped (retain the seeds) dog”. A spokesperson for the Animal 6-8 garlic cloves, minced Welfare League Queensland said 3 tablespoons flour Jackie, a one-year-old bull terrier-cattle 1 cup beef stock dog cross, “is full of life and is seek- 1 cup red wine or 1/2 cup brandy ing a home with an equally active and 2 bay leaves adventurous family who likes to get out 1 tablespoon sugar and about and explore the world”. “If Salt and freshly ground black pepper your family embraces the great outdoors Bread, for dunking and are looking for a companion dog that not only will spend time with you at DIRECTIONS home, but who will thrive on bushwalks Marinate the beef in a mixture of Worces- and outings to the beach, then Jackie tershire sauce (or soy sauce) for between could be your girl,” the spokesperson 30-60 minutes. This will ensure that even said. Jackie is available at AWLQ’s Warra the tougher cuts of meat are tender once Rehoming Centre, 523 Telegraph Rd, cooked. Rinse marinade off meat before Bracken Ridge. Phone 3807 3782. browning. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon margarine and 1 tablespoon oil. When the margarine is melted and sizzling, add about in the garden 1/4 of the beef and brown well. Remove the Finish planting container-grown tropical beef cubes from saucepan, place in a bowl fruit trees early this month. Propagate and set aside. Repeat with the remainder evergreen trees and shrubs, like rose- of beef, but in batches. Add 1 tablespoon mary, camellia and gardenia, by semi- margarine and 1 tablespoon oil between hardwood cuttings. Even though it has the batches as needed. Each batch should been quite dry, don’t forget that the brown for about 3-4 minutes so the juices months traditionally associated with low are sealed within the cubes. rainfall and drying winds are still ahead. Reduce heat and add the onions, chili Keep valuable plants watered and top up and their seeds, and cook for about 5 min- mulch if it’s been depleted over summer. utes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Sprinkle the flour over the onion/garlic mixture and stir for about 2 minutes or until Name thick. Add the stock, red wine (or brandy) WIN A PRIZE PACK and bay leaves. Stir until the sauce thickens Address and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the Send your entry to: New Generation, The P/C beef cubes together with any juices that may be in the bowl. Leave to simmer for Catholic Leader, GPO Box 282, Brisbane, Qld Phone about 20 minutes or until beef is tender and 4001. Entries close on May 15. Age cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls with fresh bread rolls and/ or potato chips. Crossword Across 12 I am the alpha and the 23 King David was anointed _____ (5) King of Israel here (6) 1 Submits to authority (5) 16 Arrives (5) 25 I have sinned through my 4 Revealed (5) own ___ (5) 17 Figure of speech (8) 7 Paulist (3) 26 Lord, by your ___ and 9 First martyr (7) 18 Manner (8) resurrection, you have set us 10 Patron Saint of people 19 Thought out (8) free (5) with mental illness (7) 22 Priest in charge of a par- 11 Leaders (11) 29 International Catholic-Jew- 13 Sister of Mercy (3) ish (6) ish Liaison Committee (3) 14 Observed (6) 15 God loves ____ one of Last Week’s Solution us (4) 20 Travelled to (4) 21 Block (6) R O S E S M S M C H O I R 24 Length of years (3) 25 Members of the Order of A W L U A U M E Friars Minor (11) 27 ____ him all things were P R O L O N G R E S P E C T made (7) H O G K H G R 28 View (7) 30 But Peter got up and ___ A L P H O N S U S H A T E to the tomb (3) 31 Conditions (5) E E F A 32 Was concerned (5) L I T E R A L M O M E N T Down O U L P N V

1 Barrier (8) S W O R D S L E T T E R S 2 Voting process (8) A E A E 3 Summa Theologiea (3) 4 Moses got the ten com- N E C K C O N F E S S O R mandments here (5) 5 Made a deacon, priest or C E T U P L V bishop (8) 6 Rejoice that your ___ are T E A C H E R P R I V A T E written in heaven (5) U S I E I C V R 7 Ball (6) 8 Biblical songs (6) S E E D S S I T S N E W S www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 Classifieds 27 Classifieds Featured Events

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Immaculate Virgin, assist me herein you are my Mother O TOWNSVILLE ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE Past Pupils Association (Brisbane Branch) is celebrating 50 Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, May Golden Years on Saturday 27 May, 2017 . Come and join in the fun. Enquiries: Janice 3379 6340, Barbara 3396 I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to 27 6641. succor me in my necessity. There is none that can withstand BIBLE INSTITUTE FOR EVERYDAY LIVING: Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8 ERDU will host the your power. O Show me here you are my Mother. O Mary Bible Institute for Everyday Living at ACU, Banyo. This July year’s theme is ‘Friends of God and Prophets, The conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee Biblical Foundations of Friendship!’ The two-day event 7-8 features guest presenter Laurie Brink, O.P., Catholic (three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in Your hands Theological Union, Chicago. To register call 1300 729 671 or go to www.trybooking.com/266699 (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and Do you have a special event coming up that you would like to promote in this mine. Amen. Thank you. Marie Louise Scott. section? Pricing starts from $14.10 for up to 30 words. Send your enquiries or listings to [email protected]

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Keeping Faith with you www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017 28 Humans of the Church Dorothy Nugent still has a spark for life at 100

Dorothy Nugent: “Years ago when I was a kid I used to think, no- body lives to one- hundred. Well, here I am.”

Photo: Emil,ie Ng Bray Park’s centenary hero By Emilie Ng cept a couple of Panadol for an arthritic knee but Sometimes Dot and her friends would just shove Having seen her parents welcome strangers found it didn’t work and stopped taking them. one hand into their pockets but the headmaster into their house for a hot meal, Dot served up Amazingly, Dot only quit driving five years “woke up to that one”. plates for people who turned up at her doorstep, DOROTHY Nugent was a child ago at 95 years old and started using a walker in Dot returned to Lourdes Hill to celebrate a including a couple of Mormon missionaries. when she decided that people didn’t the past two years. Mass in the school’s chapel for her 100th birth- “I felt so sorry for them because they were live to 100. She talks about her extraordinary life as day. mostly from America and they were out here at though events just happened yesterday. Catholic faith is an important part of Dot’s life. Christmas time and they have nobody,” she said. A cheeky, blue-eyed resident at Holy Spirit When it was time for Dot to start school, she “It’s sort of an anchor … I can’t explain it,” “So they came to us for Christmas.” Carseldine, Dot found out how wrong her young was enrolled in the local state school in Norman she said. “But I like being a Catholic.” Her concern for the lonely even grew into a self was when on February 23 this year she had Park but only stayed in the classroom for six While Dot learnt the Catholic faith from the ministry at her Bray Park parish. her 100th birthday. months. Good Samaritan nuns, she caught the faith from More than 40 years ago, the first priest at Bray “Years ago when I was a kid I used to think, Dot’s daughter Mary McAndrews still laughs her mother and father, who eventually converted Park, Spiritan Father Tom Crean, asked Dot to nobody lives to one-hundred,” Dot said. when she recalls the reason why she was pulled to Catholicism. start an outreach in the community. “Well, here I am.” out of school. “He took instructions in the Catholic faith “He said, ‘Look, there is a lot of very lonely Born Dorothy Church in Brisbane in 1917 to “Mum went to a state school for six weeks and without anyone knowing as a surprise for Mum,” people in this area’,” she said. a Catholic mother and an Anglican father, Dot is her mother was frightened that she was going she said. Dot rounded up a number of parishioners to the eldest of five children, mother to four, grand- to become a communist or a Protestant – at five Dot became acquainted with the universal gather people “who didn’t know who their next- mother to 16, and great-grandmother to 21. years old,” Mary said. Church when her brother, Percy Church, was door neighbour was” and started Ozanam Club Not only has she lived through a great turno- So, instead of being educated by the state, Dot ordained a priest for the Missionaries of the for the lonely. ver of royalty, popes and prime ministers, she was sent down the river to the Good Samaritan Sacred Heart. The group offered morning tea, concerts, has written to most of them too. Sisters who had opened up Lourdes Hill College Having a missionary priest for a brother meant dinners and movie nights, and opened it up Dot has written to Queensland Elizabeth II, in Hawthorne. the Church family got used to welcoming stran- to anyone isolated in the community, whether the governor-general of Australia, an array of “We had fun at Lourdes Hill,” she said. gers into their house, as Fr Percy would hand out Catholic or atheist. politicians and, to her daughter Patricia Nutley’s “I went there all my life and I really liked it.” the family’s address to missionaries flying into “Some people were so lonely they didn’t surprise, even the Pope. Having inherited her father’s cheeky “larrikin” Brisbane. know their next-door neighbour,” Dot said. “She rang up another day saying ‘I’ve written personality, Dot’s school life was marked by sev- “And I remember one day Mum met me at the “We called it Ozanam Club because we named another letter’,” Patricia said. eral comic moments with her best friend Julie. door – I was out – and she said, ‘Look, there’s it after Frederic Ozanam who is the founder of “She said you wouldn’t guess who to. “You had to go down past the nuns with some people here, I’ve given them their lunch – I the St Vincent de Paul Society.” “I thought the only person left is the Pope, and gloves on and all that sort of thing, and we’d don’t know who they are’,” Dot said. The club still runs today, but its meetings are she said ‘Yes, I wrote to him’.” always forget our gloves,” Dot said. “I said ‘It could be Ned Kelly’.” not allowed to start until Dot takes her seat. While she may not have received a response, “So Julie would go past with her gloves and When Dot’s father died, the family learnt that While she has no secrets to living to 100, she Pope Francis has given Dot an apostolic blessing she’d go past the tennis court, throw them over he would make trips to the grocery store or the said having a family who loved and cared for her for her 100th, a present organised by her neigh- for me to get so I could go past the nuns with butchers and buy produce for strangers. was a great blessing. bours who aren’t Catholic. gloves on. Dot married Eugene Patrick “Nugget” Nugent “I was very lucky that I had a good family,” From her writing skills and her lifestyle, it “I remember one day the nun said ‘What’s that in a flurry of back-to-back weddings at St Ste- Dot said. “One of them comes every day. would be hard to guess that Dot is 100. child doing up there?’ – we couldn’t say ‘She’s phen’s Cathedral on April 6, 1942 in the middle “I feel so sorry for people whose family don’t She has never been prescribed medication ex- throwing the gloves over for me’.” of the Second World War. bother with them.”

www.catholicleader.com.au The Catholic Leader, May 7, 2017