The Witness Journal of the Diocese of Port Pirie Volume 63 Number 5 - October 2017
Union of Hearts Sacramental Marriage 2 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 th e Bishop’s Diary October Message 5th Diocesan Finance Council – Port Pirie from the 9th – 10th Overseas Clergy Retreat – Port Pirie 16th – 20th Conduct Retreat for Editor Darwin Clergy - Darwin The responsibility I have now is working 24th Chair meeting of National with Marina Davidson for The Witness following Sr Sonia as the Editor of The Caritas Council - Sydney Witness. Welcome to the October edition. 25th – 31st Bishop’s Vacation Thank you to Marina who has carried the editorship for the last ten months. Bishop the wishes of the Bishop and parishes. November Greg was very happy with the editorship I come with a broad brief from Bishop by Marina, but has asked that I take this Greg, with many things connected to 1st Mass for Golden Jubilee on as part of the role of my pastoral Pastoral Ministry fitting into my portfolio. of Episcopal Ordination – ministry, with Marina continuing as well I hope I can manage everything in which in that role. the Bishop wishes me to be involved. I Archbishop Leonard Faulkner - I am aware that I am filling the very big really like the role so far and the office Adelaide shoes of Sr Sonia Wagner whom I know, staff and the parish people are so friendly. 4th Sacrament of Confirmation as she was with me on the ecumenical Port Pirie lives up to its reputation of dialogue for the Roman Catholic /Uniting being the “friendly city.” I am sure that – Port Lincoln Church Dialogue team for the Diocese of holds for the whole Diocese itself. 6th Meeting with CEO Port Pirie, while I was a member for the Thank you to all from the Bishop down, Leadership Team – Port Pirie Archdiocese of Adelaide. for the very warm welcome you have I am not completely new to the Diocese given me. It makes up for the very cold 8th Opening and Blessing of as I was appointed by the Brothers in snap we had in the second half of July! Buildings, Caritas College – Port conjunction with the Board of the College, I hope to visit all the parishes in the by the then Bishop Peter De Campo, to Diocese soon and get to meet all of you. Augusta be Principal of St John's College, Whyalla Br Patrick Cronin cfc 9th Star of the in 1985. Before that I was Principal of (Christian Brothers) Sea Memorial Mass - Wallaroo Christian Brothers College Leederville in Western Australia before being CONTACT 11th Meeting of Diocesan transferred to South Australia. Following O’Reily House 105 Gertrude St, Pastoral Council – Port Pirie that I was headmaster at CBC Wakefield Port Pirie 5540 Phone 8632 0550 St for 12 years, where I knew Bishop Greg, [email protected] 12th Sacrament of Confirmation then headmaster of St Ignatius College. www.pp.catholic.org.au – Crystal Brook Archbishop Wilson appointed me to Editor Br Patrick Cronin cfc RCIA and I was very involved with 13th St Joseph’s House Producer the Office for Worship in Adelaide for Marina Davidson Memorial Service – Port Pirie ten years from 2007 with RCIA work. Publisher I learned how many people wanted a 14th Centacare Board AGM Pirie Signs and Designs spiritual direction to life in the midst of 7 Pt Germein Rd, Port Pirie 5540 and Meeting – Port Pirie their on-going daily life. I also learned Phone 6833 1666 to appreciate the encompassing nature Advertising 16th Meeting of National Catholic Mr Neil Davidson of people’s lives over and beyond school Education Commission – Brisbane The Witness is a Bi-Monthly Publication of the life, and was able to complete a Doctor of Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie. Issued every 20th Sevenhill Trustees Meeting Ministry degree at the same time. February, April, June, August, October and December. - Sevenhill This year I have been in Melbourne for six months, and the opportunity arose to Subscriptions $30 per annum posted 27th – 1st Dec Australian Catholic come back to South Australia into Bishop Circulation Readership 3,600 Readers Greg’s diocese, as Assistant to the Bishop Cut off date for December's issue of Bishops Conference - Sydney Witness is November 15, 2017 for Pastoral Ministry. I hope I can fulfil WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 3 th e th e X The Bishop's Message Same-Sex Unions ...but they are not Holy Matrimony
As the postal vote continues, the subject ceremony. The Marriage Act makes no those who disagree is creating some “has become a personal issue for many mention of God or Christ or Sacrament anxiety. Will we be free to teach and people. Many of us have friends or or children and the official vow does not practise what we believe about marriage siblings who are gay or have a dear son include the word “love” (but it could be and sexuality? or daughter or relative who identifies added privately). ” For profound consideration, is the that way and feels strongly that they Non-Sacramental marriage is different situation of a deliberately chosen should have a right to marry. It must be to Catholic marriage. If one takes out the circumstance (not one occasioned by recognised that in so many cases there is “man” and “woman” it is not a marriage, separation or death) of a fatherless or a real bond and union of hearts between even by analogy, as Pope Francis says. It motherless family the best for the rearing committed gay couples. is a Civil Union. We can recognise such of children? A Christian Sacramental marriage unions as loving and committed, but they We have no right to impose our religious naturally includes but goes well beyond are not Holy Matrimony. views on what may now be the majority being simply a union of hearts. We believe While respecting the right of others to of our fellow citizens who do not accept marriage between a man and a woman, disagree, there are some major concerns or embrace our Sacramental view of Holy open to life, is ordained by God and has flowing from the proposed changes to Matrimony. We must continue to exercise been since the dawn of time. With the the Marriage Act. We will be altering a our right to speak our views publically as coming of Christ it was transformed, raised fundamental institution in society that free citizens, but we should not adopt any to being a Sacrament, Holy Matrimony, a will have consequences we do not yet means that creates disrespect for others. lifelong commitment to be blessed with recognise. Same-sex marriage has been It was the method of Christ to propose, children, a vehicle and channel of holiness an agenda item in only very recent times; not to impose. for the couple. “I will love you and honour traditional marriage is thousands of years We pray for ourselves that when we vote, you all the days of my life”. old, present in all societies and cultures. whichever way, it will be a thought-out This is not the full understanding of Are we at peace with the new social forces decision made with integrity and good marriage for so many in today’s Australia bringing about this desire to change? conscience and charity. where three quarters marry in a civil Next, the issue of religious freedom for Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ 4 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 th e Discovering the Face of Christ According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ faith to tolerate, accept and be hospitable public ministry began in the synagogue to the brothers and sisters in prison or at Nazareth. People gathered in the those returning to the community. synagogue on the Sabbath day to hear Our Catholic Church has a long-standing the Word of God as Jesus proclaimed the tradition and social teaching concerning passage from the prophet Isaiah: people in prison and their families. The “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Church’s social teaching defends the because he has anointed me to bring human dignity of all prisoners, and calls good news to the poor. He has sent me prison authorities, faith communities to proclaim the release of captives and and the wider community to protect and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the respect the dignity of every person in oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of prisons. Pope Francis said in an interview the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18–19). with American magazine, in Jesuit Jesus in his ministry showed the people weekly based in New York, published in whom he taught, touched and healed English, September 19, 2013, that, “God the unconditional love, mercy and is in everyone’s life. Even if the life of a forgiveness of God. The four Gospels tell person has been a disaster, even if it is us that these people whom Jesus healed, destroyed by vices, drugs or anything whom Jesus called friends, were those else – God is in this person’s life”. condemned by others, by society. Jesus People who are in prison face many Today Our Diocesan Prison Ministry did not reject or give up on the person challenges on their journey towards Team provides chaplaincy services inside before him, no matter his/her behaviour rehabilitation and future reintegration and outside the prison for the three or demanding needs. back into the community, especially at prisons located within our Diocesan Jesus continuously welcomed the sinner’s the time of their release from prison, boundaries (Port Augusta Prison, Port repentance and conversion, and found the including whether society is ready and Lincoln Prison and Cadell Training opportunity for re-establishing the person prepared to welcome them back. Centre). Volunteers from different parts into the life of the community. Today, It was in 1960 that the Cadell Training of the Diocese, Religious Sisters Clergy Jesus is challenging us as a community of Centre and then the Port Lincoln Prison and St Vincent de Paul, work with inmates facilities were opened. Gladstone (closed in trying to provide them with a better view 1972) and Port Augusta had both operated about themselves and the world. for over 80 and 90 years respectively. The pastoral care of the Chaplaincy Port Augusta is now South Australia’s Service through the regular weekly visit, largest Prison, having housed around 100 is able to establish relationships that focus prisoners when rebuilt in 1972. on the availability of holistic support, The Port Pirie Diocese has had a proud with the Sacraments providing prisoners Northern record of visiting these Prisons through an opportunity for personal reflection on the quiet fidelity of many Priests, many important and difficult life issues, Religious and Lay people over this entire not least being the love of God for all. Agencies time. The Passionist Priests for 26 years The outside support of the volunteers, from 1981 were regular in this pastoral the Chaplain’s availability in the prison MANUFACTURER'S AGENTS, WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS, STOCKISTS care of the imprisoned in Port Augusta. It and maintaining his/ her close contact & PROCUREMENT SERVICES continues today through the Prison work with the inmates over many years, can facilitated by Fr. Khalid and the Ministry play a significant role in establishing trust Team. Riverland Priests and parishioners and mutual respect, which are necessary YOU WANT IT, have similarly offered the presence of for engaging the person in the personal God’s love through their pastoral care reflection. WE'LL GET IT since Cadell’s beginning until the present This humane and positive approach is day. Port Lincoln people, particularly based on trust, treating each human though the compassion of the St. Vincent person with dignity and respect, thus Ph: 8645 8099 de Paul members, have done this in helping prisoners to construct personal Fax: 8645 9210 partnership with many Priests. strengths, self-esteem whilst enabling Ayliffe Street, WHYALLA, SA, 5600 Gladstone Prison was also catered for by them to feel valued, which then reduces [email protected] the local Clergy and Lay people with a the sense of shame and unworthiness. special fund established in the Diocese Prison Ministry Team for this work. Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 5 th e th e F or More Information www.pp.catholic.org.au
Youth with Fr Harold Please say a short prayer for me and for the energy, creativity and enthusiasm of the young people of our diocese and the young people. please give us your blessing. I will rely heavily on the help of everyone 29 Units This I ask of everyone as I take on the – my brother priests and deacon, our 3 Bedroom Cottage role of Youth, Young Adult and Vocations religious sisters, our schools and the Fully Licensed Restaurant Coordinator of our Diocese. It is a big task faithful. This is our ministry and I invite that landed on the shoulders of a “learner,” you to embrace it. Firstly, I invite you all Swimming Pool and being a priest for just two years and six to pray at Mass and during your personal BBQ Area months. Nevertheless, I thank the Bishop prayer time pray for the youth. Write me Corporate Package Rates for the trust and confidence in appointing a letter expressing your willingness to Guest Laundry me to this job. I value the input that Fr be an intercessor for Youth, Youth Adult Senior Discounts Paul Crotty continues to give me and I and Vocation ministry. Pray especially for remember with gratitude Sr Elizabeth dedicated and courageous youth leaders Young, rsm who did so much for the to emerge amongst us. I am a believer youth and young adults. that “the young evangelise the young.” It took me some time to accept the Continue to pray for vocations to the responsibility. Youth ministry was part of priesthood and consecrated life. Secondly, my prayer intentions on my pilgrimage help the youth, young adult and vocations S.D.CAPUTO AND SONS (World Youth Day 2016) to Poland ministry financially. From December “Fresh Seafood” since Sr Elizaebeth had talked about her 6-10, young people from our Diocese relocation to Melbourne but I didn’t think are going to Sydney by bus for a Youth South Australian Seafood of Vocations Coordinator. I should have Festival. Some will surely appreciate some Retailer of the Year seen it coming with two young people help. Also, next year is dedicated as Year of Award Winner coming to me for prayers and blessings the Youth. We will definitely need help with - one from Italy and another one from that. And as it costs a lot to train a priest and Delivering all your Fresh I can’t remember any more, discerning you might want to consider being a regular & Frozen Seafood to their vocation to the priesthood. benefactor. Lastly, be a friend to the young And so here I am now. How do we go people around you. Grandparents, parents, WHYALLA - PT AUGUSTA forward? I don’t know. But I must say, I teachers and friends, tap the shoulder of the - CLARE - THE COPPER am excited. I hope you are all too. I am young people around you and say that you COAST - PT BROUGHTON confident that the Holy Spirit will lead us, are praying for them. Update them if there’s a first to build friendship with our young youth activity in your parish or in the diocese. Phone our Friendly Staff people, second to plan, organise and Invite them and send them to the priest or the for Further Details execute activities that hopefully inspire youth contact person in your region. It can and entice young people to participate. All be an opening to their faith journey. More so, Find us on these we hope and pray will bring them invite them to send me some ideas that will facebook into friendship with Jesus. I remember help a lot with the ministry. with fondness the small youth group we With a smile and trust in God, let us all “go started in Whyalla and is still ongoing. Fr out into the deep” and embark on this great Ph 8633 2355 Jim has this great saying: “Youth are not journey of faith with the young. (On to a www.sdcaputoandsons.com.au only the future, they are also the present of new adventure) Fisherman's Wharf, Port Pirie the Church.” We pray that we can tap into Fr Harold Camonias 6 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 th e Footsteps of Those Before Me Sunday April 30, I found myself at the Pirie Diocese until, in November 1939, 10.30am Mass at Hawker, some 185km he was appointed as the second Bishop away from Pirie, where I call home. Fr of Wagga Wagga. Jimmy Pantin was naturally curious, Excerpts of the panegyric preached by as I stood amongst the locals of the Most Rev. Dr F. Carroll D.D. at the funeral community in the Church but I was of Bishop Frank Henschke include; actually following in the footsteps of “... it was essentially in his dealings with those before me. people and his attitude to them that his I had come to hopefully meet some ‘rellies’, greatness lies…with the laity in general to visit the cemetery and purely go with the he was, in a sense ahead of his time… flow, and I wasn’t disappointed. I witnessed he was always prepared to meet the Fr Jimmy’s love of singing and the wonderful people…he was a man of the soil who rapport and respect that was within his never lost his love for the countryside parish. I received a warm welcome and studied with interest a board listing the years and things rural…his acceptance of of Priests serving Hawker and District. One people as people, his open mind and particular name caught my eye. It was my big heart helped to develop the friendly Grandpa’s first cousin, “1917 HENSCHKE.F” relationship between the various who is now better known as Bishop Frank Christian churches … he lived ‘by faith’" Henschke. When the Henschke name was Francis Augustin Henschke was born Fr Frank Henschke as a young man mentioned as I was growing up, there at Hookina in the Diocese of Port was talk of wine, lots of priests and nuns, Augusta (now Diocese of Port Pirie), Hawker before being transferred to a constable, even a Bishop. South Australia on January 2, 1892, Jamestown where he worked for the next I also learnt that my Grandpa, William died February 24, 1968 and was buried nineteen years as Curate, Administrator George Joseph Glass (on my mum’s side), at Wagga Wagga Cathedral. The late and Parish Priest. He later served as changed his name from Henschke to Bishop briefly served as a Curate in Chancellor and Vicar General of the Port Glass, taking his own mother’s maiden name, in 1916. He found it difficult to get a job and WWI had aroused a great deal of anti-German feeling. He was also about to marry so felt the need to be able to support any family in the future. It was only when I was getting to know Fr Frank Cresp better, here in Pirie, through my role as Clergy Care that I brought all this up and was so delighted when he recalled stories including Bishop Frank. Fr Arthur Hackett has also shared his OPEN 7 DAYS fond memories with me and insights to Main Road, Port Pirie Ph 8633 1788 the local Henschke families. I look forward to spending more time reflecting on the life of Bishop Frank Henschke, my ‘cousin’ and hopefully meet more ‘rellies’. I also wish to take S M S more time in learning more about Sr Annette Henschke, a Sister of St Joseph, Pan Ready Meats who worked very closely with our St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Sr Annette Bulk & BBQ Packs was my Grandpa’s aunty. That’s a story for another time. Club Supplies Claire Conaghty Parish Pastoral Associate, St Mark’s Parish Senate Clergy Care Co-ordinator, Diocese of Port ort irie Pirie WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 7 th e th e Subscribe Now! All Night Vigil Prayer For more information [email protected]
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Earlier this year Port Lincoln parishioner also part of the program putting aside Betta Advice and daily Mass-goer, Dick Harris an hour for prayer in their homes, which approached Fr. Steve about exploring include one of the town’s aged care the possibility of introducing a sustained homes. and regular opportunity for the Parish Each month’s All-Night Vigil has a to gather to pray in the presence of the particular prayer focus. 84 Ellen St, Port Pirie Blessed Eucharist. At our first Vigil in August we prayed for: Prayer in the presence of the Blessed a renewed understanding of and an ever- Ph: 8632 1688 Eucharist already had a long tradition deepening gratitude for Jesus’ gift of His www.betta.com.au in the Parish with a three-hour time of Body and Blood first given to the world Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on a at the Last Supper and given to each of us Monday evening and a monthly Sunday every time we come to Mass. Holy Hour. In September, the month in which we As a young adult, Dick spent some celebrate Child Protection Week and pirie years discerning a vocation with the Child Protection Sunday, we prayed Blessed Sacrament Fathers. There Dick for: the safety and protection of the became familiar with the daily practice young in our St. Joseph’s School and of spending time in prayer with our Parish Families and for their spiritual, 114 Main Road, Port Pirie Eucharistic Lord. The founder, Saint intellectual, emotional and social Ph 8632 5302 Peter Julian Eymard (Feast Day 2nd nourishment and growth. May the love August) was often referred to as the of their families and the love of Jesus be Tiles & apostle of the Blessed Eucharist and he radiant realities in their lives. Sanityware all the best widely promoted and encouraged this Commenting after our inaugural All- form of prayer. Night Prayer Vigil parishioners Chris Dick’s proposal was taken to the Parish and Michael reflected: Our First Friday Pastoral Council who enthusiastically and Saturday Prayer Vigil at St Mary of appliances embraced the idea. the Angels was inundated with blessings Pavers & Retaining Kitchen What has resulted is an All-Night for the many generous parishioners who Wall Bllocks Appliances Prayer Vigil commencing after the spent time in God’s ‘rain’ of heavenly 6.00p.m. Mass on a Friday evening and graces for themselves and others. Truly concluding with the 8.30a.m. Mass on the highlight for us was spending quiet Come in and see our stylish Saturday morning in the first week of time in the presence of our Eucharistic showroom and friendly staff every month. Lord, just sitting there, and absorbing so today. For all sales enquiries Parishioners are invited to spend an hour much love, in an atmosphere of peace please email in prayer during this time. More than and tranquility. [email protected] thirty parishioners are participating. Fr Stephen Ardill Delivery available to your local area. Several home-bound parishioners are Port Lincoln Parish 8 WITNESS OCTOBER 2017 th e Connecting with Kiribati In May 2015, the Catholic Education North Tarawa. Office in the Diocese of Port Pirie and the During the two week Immersion led by Sisters of the Good Samaritan established Brenda Keenan (Director of Catholic ‘The Kiribati Commitment’ enabling staff Education, Diocese of Port Pirie), staff from diocesan schools to engage in a had an opportunity to help the Sisters two-way outreach experience in Kiribati. of the Good Samaritan at the Early Kiribati is situated on the Equator and Childhood Learning Centre. They also consists of three main groups of islands visited the local primary school, the thousands of kilometers from each other. junior secondary school and Immaculate South Tarawa, the capital and seat of Heart School (Senior Secondary) During government, has 50% of the population, the school visits, CEO Staff were treated about 50,000 people. South Tarawa is to performances from the students about 25 kilometres long and consists of regarding climate change and also to thin strips of land (400-900 meters wide) witness an unforgettable award winning connected by causeways. choir performance. Last year a group of 14 teachers from the The CEO staff formed great relationships Catholic schools in the Port Pirie Diocese with the Good Samaritan Sisters and made the journey to Kiribati. In April the local community and have much this year, the five staff members from the appreciation for the opportunity to Catholic Education Office Port Pirie had immerse themselves with the traditional the opportunity to travel to the Republic life of the I-Kiribati people. They have also of Kiribati for two weeks to participate in brought back new perspectives about the a Social Justice Outreach Experience in challenges facing our Pacific neighbours. the village of Abaokoro on the Island of Dale Fricker
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