West Wagga Wagga Catholic Ashmont, Collingullie, Glenfield, Lloyd, San Isidore The West Wagga Wag

March 2014 Coming Events Lenten Discussions, Lenten Discussion Mondays Monday Evenings Program (Ho.T, 7pm) Senior Legion Tuesdays West Wagga Wagga Parish is hosting Lenten (7pm, Holy Trinity) discussions on Monday evenings throughout Lent this year. Rosary Group Wednesdays (10am, San Isidore) Discussions will follow the Archdiocese of Vinnies Thursdays Sydney’s “Walking the way of Mercy and (7pm, Holy Trinity Simplicity”. Solemnity of St Patrick Mon 17 The reflections in this Lenten program are by Solemnity of St Joseph Wed 19 Bishop Peter Comensoli, who has been chosen to fill in for Husband of Mary Cardinal Pell, overseeing the day-to-day running of the Solemnity of the Tues 25 Annunciation of the Lord Diaconate Ordinations Tues 25 Christian Obiekwe & Sean Byrnes (6pm, Cathedral, all welcome)

Inside this issue:

March Jokes 3 Catholic Olympic Skater 4 on Confession 5 archdiocese of Sydney until the position of Archbishop is Our man in the Vatican 7 filled. The program has booklets with prayers, readings, reflections and discussion Wag Contacts questions. Email: [email protected] When? Monday evenings, 7 pm. Web Page: westwaggaparish.com Phone: 6931 3601 Where? Holy Trinity hall. The due date for the next Wag is: Sunday April 6th.

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pastor’s page Triduum (the three holy days of the We are reminded by the divine law Easter weekend), are all days and that each of us in our own way must times when God gifts us an increase do some penance. We must all turn of that same sweet-scented from sin and make reparation to fragrance of new life in the God for our sins. We must forgive resurrected Christ - Risen in Glory. others and show love for one It is good to recall that all Sundays another just as we ask for God's love celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, and forgiveness. so no one need do penance on There are many ways, works and With Lent just beginning there is a Sundays. But Catholics between the means of doing penance. For spiritual sense that we are ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast example: participating in something of the on Ash Wednesday and Good  prayer, reality of the life and passion of Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14  acts of self-denial, Jesus. Perhaps there is no greater years old and older must abstain  almsgiving and works of personal time than this to imbibe something from meat on Ash Wednesday and charity focused on others. of the message of St Paul who Good Friday.  Attending Mass daily or several tantalises us with: Fasting means partaking of only one times a week, ‘Now I rejoice in my sufferings for full meal. Some food (not equaling  praying the rosary, your sake, and in my flesh I another full meal) is permitted at  making the way of the cross complete what is lacking in breakfast and around midday or in (Friday 10.45am after Mass), Christ’s afflictions for the sake of the evening depending on when a  attending the parish Lenten prayer his body, that is, the church’ [Col person chooses to eat the main or service (Monday evenings), 1:24]. full meal. It is also good to avoid  teaching those with educational difficulties, To suffer vicariously for others, snacking.  reading to the blind, one’s family and friends, is a true The law of abstinence forbids the  helping at Vinnies, altruistic good that brings rewards use of meat, but not of eggs, milk  visiting the sick and shut-ins both natural and supernatural. products or condiments made of  and giving an overworked mother While Lent is about penance and animal fat. Abstinence does not a break by baby-sitting, etc.; repairing the effects of sin, it is also include meat juices and liquid foods All of these can be even more about personal spiritual growth, made from meat. Thus, such foods meaningful and demanding than whereby we become more like the as chicken broth, consomme, soups simply abstaining from meat on image of our loving Saviour. Saint cooked or flavored with meat, meat Friday. Thérèse of Lisieux describes gravies or sauces, as well as poetically how an individual’s seasonings or condiments made This Lent whatever you do, do it all personal spiritual growth aids her from animal fat are not forbidden. for the love of Jesus, who suffered family, friends and the world Even bacon drippings which contain and died for you. generally. She refers to herself as little bits of meat may be poured being like a sweet smelling perfume over lettuce as seasoning. Fr Gerard bottle fragranced with the sweet The obligation to do penance is a scent of the Risen Jesus. So that the serious one; the obligation to more she became like him and observe, as a whole or moved about her duties, those "substantially," the days of penance around her could experience the life is also serious (Luke 13:3). But no giving fragrance of the grace of one need be scrupulous in this Christ. This fragrance is well known regard; failure to observe some by devoteés who have prayed to St individual days of penance is not Thérèse since her death. considered a sin. And some people Lent, with its forty days and nights are excused from fasting and/or of personal penance and abstinence altogether because of mortification leading up to Holy sickness or other reasons. Week and especially the Easter THE WEST WAGGA WAG PAGE 3

March Jokes I'm a multi-tasking procrastinator. Q. What kind of man was Boaz I can put off all kinds of things all before he married Ruth? A. at once. Ruthless. I start a new job in Seoul next Q. What do they call priests in week. I thought it was a good Korea Germany? A. German Shepherds. move. Q. Who was the greatest financier My new years resolution was to in the Bible? A. Noah. He was lose 15 kgs by the end of summer. floating his stock while everyone I've only got 20 kgs to go. else was in liquidation. I can almost always tell when a Q. Who was the greatest female movie doesn't use real dinosaurs. financier in the Bible? A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down One day a mailman was greeted by to the bank of the Nile and drew An old man was wondering if his a boy and a huge dog. out a little prophet. wife had a hearing problem. The mailman said to the boy, "does Q. What kind of motor vehicles are So one night, he stood behind her your dog bite?" in the Bible? A. God drove Adam while she was sitting in her lounge "No," replied the boy. Just then the and Eve out of the Garden in a chair. huge dog bit the mailman. Fury. David's Triumph was heard He spoke softly to her, "Honey, can The man yelled, "I thought your throughout the land. Also, probably you hear me?" dog doesn't bite!" a Honda, because the apostles were There was no response. "He doesn't," replied the boy, "that's all in one Accord. He moved a little closer and said not my dog!" Q. Who was the greatest comedian again, "Honey, can you hear me?" Still, there was no response. in the Bible? A. Samson. He There are 3 essential tools: duct brought the house down. Finally he moved right behind her tape, WD40 and a hammer. and said, "Honey, can you hear me?" Q. What excuse did Adam give to She replied, "For the third time, If something is moving and it his children as to why he no longer Yes!" shouldn't be, duct tape it. lived in Eden ? A. Your mother If it isn't moving and it should be, ate us out of house and home. TEACHER: “Johnny use defeat, use WD40. Q. Which area was especially deduct, defense and detail in one If it still doesn't move, hit it with a wealthy? A. The area around sentence.” hammer. If it breaks, tape it back Jordan . The banks were always JOHNNY: de-feet of de-duck went together with the duct tape. overflowing. over de-fence before de-tail. Q. Who is the greatest babysitter Q: What does Charles Dickens keep Two confirmed bachelors sat mentioned in the Bible? A. David. in his spice rack? A: The best of talking, their conversation drifted He rocked Goliath to a very deep thymes, the worst of thymes. from politics to cooking. "I got a sleep. Q: Did you hear about the Italian cookbook once," said one, "but I Q. Which Bible character had no chef that died? A: He pasta way. could never do anything with it." parents? A. Joshua, son of Nun. "Too much fancy work in it, eh?" Q. Why didn't they play cards on Q: Did you hear about the angry asked the other. "You said it. Every pancake? A: He just flipped. the Ark? A. Because Noah was one of the recipes began the same standing on the deck. way - 'Take a clean dish." When a three-year-old opened a birthday gift from his grandmother, The first rule of condescending club he discovered a water pistol. is really kinda complex and I don't He squealed with delight and headed think you'd understand it even if I for the nearest sink. explained it to you. His Mother was not so pleased. She turned to Grandma and said, "I'm First thing this morning, there was a surprised at you. tap on my door. Funny sense of Don't you remember how we used to humour my plumber has. drive you crazy with water guns?" A guy came up to me yesterday and Grandma smiled and then replied, "I threw a box of lego at me. I really remember." didn't know what to make of it...... PAGE 4 THE WEST WAGGA WAG

Olympic figure skating star hailed as example for Catholics

opportunity for the skating star to was “very anxious about my faith” share her Catholic faith. especially praying in public. “I Kim converted to the Catholic faith didn't want them to think I was alongside her mother in 2008 after strange,” he said, adding that in they came in contact with local nuns some ways publicly expressing & Catholic groups through her one's beliefs is “ basically painting a personal doctor – also a Catholic – target on your forehead” for who was treating her knee injuries. comments, jokes & persecution. At her baptism, Kim took the name When he saw Kim praying on the “Stella” after Mary, Star of the Sea, ice, however, his fear was Catholic Olympian & international challenged. skating superstar Kim Yuna is a & said that during the baptism she “It’s a regular thing for her,” he said role model not only of dedication & “felt an enormous consolation in my of her pre-skating prayers. “Wow. athleticism but also of how to live heart” & promised God to continue What a way of witness,” Pham said, the faith publicly, a fan says. to “pray always,” especially before competitions. noting that her actions made him Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Since then, Kim has shown her faith ask himself, “If she can do this, why Detroit and blog writer Evan Pham can't I do this?” told CNA on Feb. 11 that he was to the international world, crossing Yuna Kim taught him about “the struck by Kim's simple act of herself as she steps onto the ice chances we have of manifesting” praying on ice during the 2010 during performances & the Catholic faith to the public. Olympics in Vancouver. competitions. In 2010, she also joined with the Korean bishops in a “What would I choose,” he He said that he was inspired when national campaign to explain the continued, “being afraid or not he and his family saw “a clip of her rosary to the Korean public – and to afraid? Being not afraid is so much doing the sign of the cross” and explain the meaning of the rosary more beautiful,” Pham said. bowing her head immediately ring she herself wears to fans who Now he is much more open to before competing the finals for the mistook it for an engagement ring. ladies' skating title, which she won. praying in public and sharing his Kim has also been active in using faith with strangers- including on “There was this young woman out her position as an opportunity for his blog, but the skating star's there on the Olympic ice and all charitable works, volunteering and example still comes back to him. these cameras are constantly on donating funds to Catholic “If I'm ever second thinking about her,” Pham said. “She was not Hospitals, Universities, and other making a sign of the cross, I think scared. She just wanted to pray: she charitable organizations, and about what I saw.” didn't care who was watching.” working alongside the Catholic “What an inspiration,” he said of bishops in Korea as a spokeswoman Pham said that Kim is often in his this simple act of public prayer. for Catholic charities in Seoul. prayers, and has inspired him to In her home country of South Additionally, in 2012, Kim donated “take the time to pray” for other Korea, Kim is regarded as one of hundreds of thousands of dollars to public figures who have “so much the most famous celebrities, Salesian of Don Bosco to help potential to do good.” particularly after winning the 2010 support the missionary brothers in “I really hope that she continues to Olympics in ladies' freestyle with a South Sudan & to establish Catholic use her influence in a good way: to record-breaking score. Schools in the war-torn country. be an evangelist.” One of the best in the history of She told Korean press that while modern figure skating, Kim holds visiting Africa in 2011 she “felt the world record scores in the ladies' need to help out children there,” and short skating program, free skate & wanted “to offer what little support I combined score, & has broken can” to those in Africa. world record scores 11 times. This public witness, Pham said, has In addition to using her celebrity in inspired him to be more open with documentaries & ad campaigns for sharing his own beliefs. cosmetics, clothing, & electronics, He explained that growing up, he Kim's renown has served as an THE WEST WAGGA WAG PAGE 5

The liberating power of Confession Given the publicity he usually have a bit of shame… It does us receives from the media, it was good because it makes us more interesting that the title of Pope humble.' Afterwards, the Pope Francis’s address on Confession last told his audience, the penitent week was not trumpeted around the feels liberated from the burden of world, writes Francis Phillips in his conscience: 'free, great, The Catholic Herald. beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy.' You can understand why this Striking a personal note, the Holy subject would not have leapt off the Father told his listeners, 'When I news desks of the media though: go to Confession, it’s for healing: 'Courage?' 'Confession?' Well – no healing the soul, healing the heart gossip, no scandal, therefore no because of something I did to news. Yet, as reported on CNA on make it unwell.' He concluded by February 20, the Holy Father spoke reassuring the pilgrims: 'Every with such pastoral warmth on the time we go to confession, God subject that it deserves revisiting embraces us.' and that a thoughtful reader would It all sounds so simple and recognise the obviously healing straightforward – and it is meant element of the Sacrament, whether to be straightforward. A convert a believer or not. friend told me it took her some As the Pope explained, in time to realise that she did not Confession we meet Jesus who need to explain or describe the receives us 'with so much love!' complex background to her sins as Confession is not just a personal she was prone to do. Confession matter, 'it is rooted in the isn’t the same as therapy. universality of the Church which embarrassment at revealing our Pope Francis put it more simply. accompanies us on the path of weaknesses and vices, Pope Francis Indeed, it’s so simple that even conversion.' was forthright: 'Even embarrassment children who have reached the age On the question of shame or is good,' he declared. 'It’s healthy to of reason can grasp it. "Retreat" by James McAuley Australian poet who converted to This is that sole instrument It is not said we shall succeed, the Catholic faith. Died in 1976 That measures every chart; Save as his Cross prevails: This square and level overrules The good we choose and mean to Come into yourself a while, The subtle calculus of fools do Be deaf to outer cries; By a celestial art. Prospers if he wills it too, Ask not who wins, who falls, who And if not, then it fails. rages,

Or what each doubtful sign presages, Nor is failure our disgrace: Or what face treachery wears. By ways we cannot know He keeps the merit in his hand, Soon you must return to tasks And suddenly as no one planned, That sicken and appall: Behold the kingdom grow! The calumnies will never cease, Look only to the sign of peace, The Cross upon the wall.

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10 Questions to Ask Before You Say “I Do” You’re in love. You know you’re considering divorce as an option. themselves rather than evaluating ready to vow “through sickness and 4. Will they be a spectacular themselves and making appropriate health … until death do us part” – parent? You’re not just choosing corrections. Ask yourself, does this however, take a deep breath. And your future husband or wife; you’re person ever serve others, or do they consider these 10 questions. choosing your kids’ future dad or insist on being served? Do they mum. On the day you bring your show empathy toward the feelings new babies home, you’ll be so glad of others or are they always trying you picked someone who will be a to impress? Do they show initiative fantastic parent, or you’ll grieve that in caring for others, or are they your kids have to put up with obsessed with how they are treated someone who is neglectful or, even or appreciated? worse, abusive. 9. Are they a giver or a taker? 5. Do they pray? Being married The sad reality is, some people are requires daily prayer—we pray about givers and some people are takers. how to love each other, for the Givers don’t always mind being in 1. Can they handle conflict? strength to serve unselfishly, and for a relationship with a taker because Conflict is certain in marriage, but wisdom for many decisions. Every they like to give; it brings them that’s not all negative. ... Healthy thoughtful Christian will pray every joy. But marriage is a long journey conflict gives birth to intimacy and day, so put “prayer aptitude” at least and there will eventually be understanding. Unhealthy conflict as high as chemistry in your list for a seasons when the giver needs to creates bitterness and resentment. potential spouse. A quick test to receive. In those instances, can “Two major red flags of unhealthy know how often someone prays is your taker learn to give? In most conflict management are simply listening to what they talk cases, sadly, the answer is no. stonewalling (the silent treatment) about. If they’re not regularly talking When a taker has to give, he feels and any form of violence. If about God, they’re not regularly sorry for himself even more than someone is a little too angry as a talking to God. he feels empathy for you. “Ask boyfriend/girlfriend, they will be yourself, when you spend time much too angry as a spouse,” 6. Do they know how to forgive? with your partner, do you feel advises Gary Thomas, author of James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in drained or invigorated?” suggests The Sacred Search many ways.” That includes you. The Gary Thomas, author of The Bible testifies that, in marriage (and Sacred Search Study Resource 2. Does he/she share your faith? out), you will stumble in many ways. Many couples come back after they DVD. “Would you describe the If you marry someone who doesn’t relationship as healing and have children and ask, “What do we know how to forgive, your marriage do now?” when trying to decide supportive, or exhausting and will soon be weighted down with combative?” where to worship and even how to heavy resentment and bitterness. acknowledge the birth (Baptism? 10. What does their “fruit” look Dedication?) A common faith holds 7. Do they know how to like? A famous Bible passage a family together, not just on a communicate? Communication is breaks character down into two weekly basis, but on major holidays essential to build new intimacy when lists of “fruit.” One is desirable, throughout the year—which means infatuation fades. If you marry one isn’t. Go through these lists that every such occasion will someone fearful or unskilled at and see which one most accurately remind you of your disconnect as a communication, your marriage will describes the person you’re couple if you share a significantly fall into an intimacy rut. Women, considering marrying: The “Watch different expression of faith. however much your boyfriend talks Out” List: Impurity and to you, imagine marriage will have 3. Will they kiss divorce good- debauchery (is this person drawn to 25% less talk. Will that be enough? If the crude?); Hatred, discord, and bye? Every marriage eventually he’s already borderline in this area, proves to be difficult at times. jealousy; Fits of rage; Selfishness; you’re likely to become very Divisive and envious; Human nature is such that if there’s frustrated after marriage. an easy “off-ramp,” we tend to want Drunkenness. The “Go” List: Love; to take it. Marry someone who is 8. Is he/she humble? People Joy; Peace; Patience; Kindness; committed to working through without humility can never grow; Goodness; Faithfulness; they spend all their energy defending Gentleness; Self-control. every challenge you face without THE WEST WAGGA WAG PAGE 7

Our man in the Vatican - Tess Livingston, The Australian Following his appointment as seminarians at one seminary. He Prefect for the Economy for the leaves the archdiocese with 48 Holy See and the Vatican signed, seminarians at the Good Shepherd Cardinal and a couple Seminary at Homebush and 23 at the of close friends sat down at a Redemptoris Mater missionary restaurant near Domus to seminary at Chester Hill. celebrate with cotoletta milanese Pell has also devoted much of his and a good drop of vino. priestly life to tertiary education, The appointment was a rare overseeing the establishment of achievement. Notre Dame University in Sydney, Pell, who is now on the same level and the John Paul II Institute for as Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Marriage and the Family in Parolin, now ranks second in the Melbourne. Vatican behind Pope Francis. trouble on Monday nominating his Efficient administration have been a No Australian churchman has risen proudest achievements: 'The young prominent part of Pell's success. to such authority before. Retired priests and the new RE (religious News Corp's executive chairman Cardinal Edward Cassidy, 89, education) program' he told The Rupert Murdoch tweeted yesterday served as president of the Pontifical Australian, without a moment's that Australia would miss Pell 'but Council for Promoting Christian hesitation. world will benefit.' Unity in the 1980s and 90s. The 'young priests' are the Pell is 'no shrinking violet,' Jesuit And James Knox, a former generation of 20-something to 40- Thomas Reese wrote in the archbishop of Melbourne, headed something priests throughout influential National Catholic the Pontifical Council for the Family Sydney, Melbourne and Rome who Reporter overnight: 'He will be a and the Congregation for Divine were drawn to the seminaries Pell formidable opponent to anyone who Worship and the Sacraments in the reformed after the postmodern tries to oppose him.' 70s and 80s. upheavals of the 60s and 70s. He'll need to be. The Cardinal is too Pell has loved Rome since he first Prayer, doctrinal orthodoxy and wily a politician and too loyal a arrived there in September 1963 to academic rigour re-emerged. team player to talk publicly about complete his training for the To the chagrin of modernists, a new the state of the Vatican's finances priesthood at the Pontifical Urban wave of candidates, many with and administration, admitting only University. professional careers and several there is a need to improve Almost 50 years after his ordination university degrees behind them, accountability and transparency. in St Peter's Basilica in 1966, and 18 arrived and stayed the course. Full article in The Australian years at the helm of Australia's two In 2001, when Pell was appointed to largest archdioceses, Pell had no Sydney, the city had just 10 Can you find 21 Books of the Bible There are names of 21 Books of the you. Yes there are some books that a minister to find one of them and Bible mentioned in the paragraph will be a hard job to find, but those there will be loud lamentations below. See how many you can find. are the most fun. Can a human being when it is found. What will keep Some are in one word; some are a really find all twenty-one of them? At you from answering this part of two or three words. the worst, you should find fifteen. No challenge? A little lady says she defect in the genes is required, brews a cup of tea so she can although I will admit it usually takes concentrate better. How long you I once made a remark about the keep working on it only you can hidden books of the Bible. It was a judge, so long as you try to lulu, kept people looking so hard compete. Remember, we’ve had for facts. For others it was a real fun seeking out twenty-one revelation. Some were in a jam, books of the Bible, but it is by especially since the names of the far more important to “seek first books are not capitalized. But the his kingdom and his truth finally struck home to righteousness.” It’s always true, numbers of readers. It should be a God loves you. most fascinating few moments for The West Wagga Wag

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