Number 33 Parish Magazine March 2014

inside this issue:

Reflection 2

My Story: Lucy Masache 3

What I do: Navy Chaplain 4

My Wine Bar Friends 5

Remembering Those Who Served -Fr Norbert Earl -Lance Coporal Tom Keating 6

A Letter From Rome 7

OLSH Families: The Brophys 8

Thinking about the Novena 9

Building a New Nation 10

A Retiree Thinks of the Past - and the Future 11

Of Matters, Cosmic and Mundane 12

A Principal Says Good Bye 13

The Church in Aotearoa NZ 14

A Philippines Experience 15 st margaret mary’s randwick north The Back Page 16 our lady of the sacred heart randwick Page 2 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

Reflection - How Do I Pray? Diane Gordon

oth love and prayer are valued and practised by people of diverse religions. B What I’ve been told first and foremost about prayer is that it is relationship with God. Just as in human relationships, sometimes one form of communication works, sometimes another. So, whatever works best in our life today is going to be the best way for us to pray. Most prayers are for help, but the more we practise prayer as a daily, unpretentious and natural act, the more we will find ourselves giving thanks.

The words we use need to be our words. I love to read the prayers of other people, and we are also part of a liturgical tradition of structured prayer. But if we want a relationship with God, I’ve found that it is best to speak from the heart.

As to the forms, times, content of prayer, once a person is committed to regular prayer, I think certain practices come along when we need them. The Lord’s Prayer, given to us by Jesus, contains all the ‘things’ we need for in prayer: acknowledgement and praise of God, turning our wills over to God, petition for necessities, request for forgiveness and the ability to forgive others.

Use The Lord’s Prayer as a springboard, and remembering that the purpose of prayer is to be in relationship with God. Regular weekly worship offers community, structured prayer, and prayer for others. The Prayers of the People in the Book of Common Prayer can be used as a prayer outline; reading Scripture and offering regular prayers for others as well as ourselves.

I have also learned that silent prayer can also work wonders in deepening my relationship with God. Here, at last, in silence, I can begin to hear God’s voice, feel God’s presence as never before. Silence helps me know that God is with me, acknowledged or not. This is the greatest comfort I can have.

There are as many prayer forms and types as there are personalities. Witness the myriad books about how to pray - the list is virtually endless.

The question that usually arises about prayer, other than how to do it, is what about unanswered prayer—that is, when our specific petitions are not granted. I have learned two things about this: one is to stop asking for specific outcomes and simply hold the person or situation up into God’s Light; the second is that prayer prepares the pray-er for the answer. Prayer hollows us out, helps us receive the answer when it comes. v

The contract for the new Parish Offices and Walkway has been accepted. The price is $1,354,094 (ex GST) and the builder is Marc Morabito Constructions. Work is scheduled to commence end of March 2014.

Front Cover Photo:

Pope Francis, person of the year

Joan & Tony McNamara Tony Joan & Covers from The Times, The Advocate and Rolling Stones Magazine See story on The Back Page with Fr Peter Editors: Names of authors who have contributed stories are shown at top of the articles. Other stories are the work of the editorial team. Debra Lawrence Design & Layout:

Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 3

My Story Lucy Masache

alawi, where I was In 1996 Pius obtained an appoint- born, is a small, ment at Sydney Children’s Hospi- narrow, landlocked tal. We joined him one year later Mcountry south east of Africa. It is in April 1998. Madalitso started surrounded by Mozambique on kindergarten at St Andrew’s the east, south and west, Zambia Malabar and I got involved in the on the north west and Tanzania school. Raphael started fulltime on the north east. Its population pre-school in 1999 at age 4. I decided is around 16 million. Not unusu- to enrol in a one year Graduate ally in Malawi, with its age-old Certificate course in Human Re- practices, the marriage of my sources in the city. I would pick up too weak to do so. I assured him I parents was an arranged one; they Pius from work at 6pm and with was not going to die. I called for were from different clans; Dad the children he would drop me off help and was taken to hospital. All was a school teacher and Mum in the city at 7pm and pick me up it took was the voice of a child to could neither read nor write. I was again at 9pm. bring me back to reality. I believe the fifth of eight children, three of God used my little Raphael to whom are now deceased. My mum Then tragedy. Pius left for Malawi bring me back to life and to tell had strong faith and took us to in July 1999 to see his dad. Two me not to give up. church 10km away every Sunday. weeks after arriving in Malawi he She passed away in 1985 and dad collapsed with viral meningitis I returned to Australia on an inter- in 2005. and passed away on 15 September national student visa in December 1999. We were greatly supported 2000 and Fr Pat Hurley, Malabar’s We moved from place to place and comforted by people from parish priest, offered us free ac- as my father taught at various Sydney Children’s Hospital, St commodation in a small flat at the schools. One boarding school was Andrew’s church and school. We back of the church. As completing more like a concentration camp; were and will always be very the Diploma in Business Studies we slept on the floor, no electric- grateful to them for the love they did not give me enough points for ity, no running water. At night it showed us. permanency residency (PR) Fr was pitch dark so we Pat encouraged me to do nursing just went to bed early. When I arrived in which did not require points for PR. Sounds like camp- Malawi I got the ing? Secondary school ... we finally second worst shock My placement was at Parramatta; was different – Stella got there ... of my life. Pius’ it was too far to travel so all the Maris Girls Secondary family had decided while I attended the Bankstown School run by Dutch to hurry the funeral campus. It was only at the exami- Nuns dedicated to our and pushed the burial nation time that I was queried! I education and religious instruc- ceremony an hour earlier; they did some night shifts in nursing tion. At the University of Malawi were putting wreaths on the grave homes while friends at the school I got a Diploma of Teaching in when I arrived in the village with helped with the boys after school. 1989 and a Bachelor of Education the boys. That pierced my bleed- I’m very grateful for that. in 1991. ing heart. The pain was agonising and I felt helpless. I never got an The boys loved sport. They did I met Pius, my late husband, explanation and this made it very Nippers at South Maroubra beach in1986 when we were both in a hard to live with. I have since and Madalitso was a life saver for Catholic Youth Group. He had forgiven them all. a few years after that. They played earlier attended a minor seminary. junior rugby league up to high He was offered a scholarship to I became very sick from Malaria school, Touch Football and bas- do medical studies and left for but told no one about it, convinced ketball outside school. The boys England in 1987. I met Pius again I was going to die. One morning loved Rugby League. My family in 1990, and were married 1992. Raphael came and sat beside me call Rugby League ‘wrestling’. with his thumb in his mouth and Madalitso is doing his final year Our first son Madalitso (meaning after sitting there a while he said of a business degree at UTS and blessing) was born in 1993. Our to me, ‘mum, you are very sick, works 3 days a week and is also a second son was born in 1994 pre- and you are going to die, like youth leader at Holy Family youth maturely at 32 weeks, miraculous- dad. So if you die, who is going group in Maroubra. Raphael is ly survived, and is named Raphael to look after us?’ Shocked by the also at UTS in his second year of after the Archangel who is revered unexpected question from a 4 ½ Finance. Both attended Marcellin as the Angel of Healing. year old, I tried to get up but was College Randwick. continued on page 5 Page 4 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

What I do: Navy Chaplain Monsignor Stuart Hall, RAN, EV

Mgr Stuart Hall is the Director General of the Royal Australian Navy Chaplaincy Service. Here he writes about the Chaplaincy service in the RAN and his role as the Principal Catholic Chaplain.

here’s your parish, opportunity to provide the sacra- Father?’ is a com- ments and to proclaim the Good mon question asked News of Jesus Christ has opened ‘Wwhen visiting parishes. many doors into the lives of young adults. These dedicated men and People are fascinated to learn women seek to integrate their that the Australian Defence Force faith. Increasingly, they are con- (ADF) places a high level of im- fronted with real life and death is- portance in providing chaplaincy sues, as they attempt to be builders pastoral care to serving defence of peace, often in an environment members and their families. Most that gives witness to humanity’s There have been many highlights Catholic parishioners are aware inhumanity. over the past 18 years. Time spent that the local parish priest is in- on operations in the Arabian Gulf volved in school or hospital chap- The life of a Navy Chaplain is or Timor-Leste have provided laincy, or even prison chaplaincy; varied. My first appointment saw pastoral opportunities to assist not however the thought that priests me travelling from Melbourne to only Australian Defence members, are involved in full time ministry HMAS Stirling in Western Aus- but also local indigenous com- within the ‘profession of arms’ is tralia. These initial years found munities to recover, rebuild and off their radar. me undertaking specific military training that would enable me to commence the healing process The military understand the mili- that these areas have experienced. chaplain’s parish is tary family, as well While operations would appear located wherever ... real life and as become a member to be the ‘sharp end’ of what the Australian defence death issues … of this family. You Defence Force is about, the other members are serv- learn a lot about face of the military is the training ing; at initial train- yourself and your environment. ing establishments, at sea and on fellow trainees, as you partake in Training and Unit establishments land. They are deployed in places early morning physical exercise, are places where often pastoral of conflict and on United Nations or undergo training in surviving care is encountered in unusual peacekeeping missions. When at sea, or learning to fight fires on ways. Whether it be the new re- natural disasters have wreaked board a ship. I had the opportunity cruit struggling to overcome new destruction within Australia and to develop my counselling skills, tasks, or experiencing the absence beyond the chaplain is to be found and to deepen my knowledge and of home, or identifying the various amongst the military parishioners. understanding of life circumstances While serving as an assistant priest various addictions ... Time at sea that have shaped in Melbourne, I was asked to and the effects that them, or whether it is become a reserve Navy Chaplain trauma has on the is a rewarding the seasoned mem- in 1991. Over the next three years, lives of individuals. ber, who takes on the as I underwent initial training, I experience … task of instructing, or Time at sea is a is settling into family started to understand the unique rewarding experi- environment that our young mili- life or re-assessing ence. It is the time when the world career choices . They have all been tary people encountered. I began slows down, and where the rhythm to appreciate that these men and opportunities to provide the Word of ship life allows people to reflect of God to a young generation who women had left their family and on life situations and maybe for social support systems, with the may not have the opportunity to the first time start thinking about hear the Christian message. desire to serve their nation. questions of faith. As a Catholic Priest I was soon to Military chaplaincy has been discover that, like any parish, the It is in this environment that called the ‘silent service’. Chap- military family looked for oppor- sailors and officers encounter the lains enter the ADF wanting to tunities to be nourished in their silence of the Sacred, where the serve not only their church but faith, so as to maintain a spiritual Word of God enlightens the soul. also their country, and they see life and be connected with the On these frequent occasions the real possibilities in which the wider church. sea going chaplain is privileged Sacramental life of the church can to enter into the sphere of conver- reach out to support those who In 1994, I left parish ministry and sion, journeying with the individ- serve in the military, as well as commenced full time ministry in ual and allowing the seed of faith those who may never enter the the Royal Australian Navy. The to grow. door of a church. v Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 5

My Wine Bar Friends Pat Lalor

Pat Lalor, a long time parishioner began her career as a pharmacist in Melbourne. Along the way, her career diverted to operating a wine bar in Surry Hills. Here she recalls some memorable customers, ‘shadies’ her father called them. was a Melbourne girl. Born Then there was my Friday night there. Went to school there. and Saturday night friend. He in- Studied pharmacy there. sisted we play Cilla Black records IWorked as a pharmacist there. Not and escorted me to the safe to quite a woman of the world but deposit the bar takings. One night able to cope with most things but he did not appear and I discovered nothing prepared me for my broth- he had held up a hamburger shop er’s call. ‘You need to come to to get money for his girlfriend. Sydney to manage my Wine Bar’ Jail was his next stop. Tony said. I knew red wine from Every cloud has a silver lining Uncle Bob – not my real un- white but not much more about and for me it was a real Brother cle – was what my father called wine. ‘No problem’, he added, ‘I – Brother Leo. A former member a ‘shady’, he had either been in have written out all the instruc- of a Catholic Teaching Order in prison or going there was what tions for you’. He had, but he took Canada, he drifted to Australia for Dad said. More friendly than the book overseas with him. a new start, and worked in the Bar Friendly Bob, we often had lunch one day a week and for a while at the Bar, he loved Great Western he lived in a room above the Bar. It was 1970 and the Wine Bar was Champagne and he had a stock of He became active in the Anglican called The Clique and it was my good yarns including the time he Church and became a monk with Place of Learning. Some might stole a container of jeans. He was the Anglican Franciscan Order say it was my introduction to the not worried about being caught, serving in their overseas missions. criminal class of Sydney. loved the chase he said. Our He has remained a friend over friendship waned the day a detec- many years. Friendly Bob was one of my earli- tive called and asked if I knew est customers. Dressed in a white him and was that his signature on Fortunately my tour of duty for suit, always wanted a drink at his passport application. It was my brother came to an end and 9.55pm when he knew last drinks him alright but the signature was I resumed my career as a phar- were at 9.40pm, a gun was his my brother’s. He never made it macist. Dispensing prescriptions constant companion and so were overseas but did spend five months could never match the Wine Bar the girls. in Goulburn jail. for excitement! v

My Story continued from page 3

In 2005 we moved to live in Australian citizens on 20th Octo- to read the Psalms when I was the old convent which had been ber 2011. It had been a very long feeling down and would cry with turned into a hostel, above St An- and costly journey but we finally pain to the Lord and I would be drew’s administration block. The got there. God is good. I now encouraged by His Word. I felt three of us were getting too big work at Prince of Wales Private God’s hand comfortingly embrac- for the small flat. Fr Pat again in Hospital. ing me gently and lovingly every his generosity let us occupy three rooms in the hostel. I was in the Me and my faith? My faith has time I read His Word. That helped final year of my nursing degree. sustained me through very dark me when I felt helpless and was After receiving first Holy Com- times. Prayer and Scripture read- losing hope. munion the boys served as altar ing are a big part of my life and servers and sang in the children’s I became interested in the charis- So when trials come my way choir. I sang in the adult choir too matic movement after Pius died. today I say to myself, God has and was a reader in church. got me this far with the ups and Somehow the Lord started to melt downs, through the deep valleys My first job after graduating was my heart and the pain and anger and dark days of my life to where at St George Private Hospital. We began to go. The Word encour- I am now. I will trust Him to carry moved to Kingsford on Australia aged me and began to speak to me Day 2008. We got our PRs in personally. It became my hid- me in His safe hands for the rest of May 2009 (11 years after we first ing place and I would withdraw life’s journey. I am not afraid any arrived in Australia) and became into my room and open my Bible more, for I know I’m not alone. v Page 6 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

Remembering Those Who Served: Fr Norbert Earl msc

orbert Earl was born in Sydney on 2nd He was made a Member of February 1911 and was educated at the Most Excellent Order of Marist Brothers Darlinghurst. After com- the British Empire (MBE) in Npleting his Leaving Certificate he began studies for the Military Division in 1942 the priesthood with his first profession in 1931 and for his heroism and courage his ordination in 1936. He first went to Downlands during the battles, and was College for two years, and was asked to take on the recorded as saying that MBE job of Provincial Bursar. High finance was not to stood for ‘mad bloody be his forte, as he summed this up in his memora- earl’. ble verse ‘Things went from bad to worser when Norbert Earl was bursar’. After the war he continued Since the age of 13 he had dreamt of the foreign as a missionary in the Pacific missions and he spent 31 years in Eastern Papua, until returning to Australia in 1971. He was parish priest 17 of those years totally isolated on the remote at OLSH in 1975 and a plaque commemorating his role Rossel Island. When the Japanese entered the with the 39th battalion was for some time in place at the Second World War he enlisted as a Chaplain in the nave of the church. He was one of three priests (Fr John Australian Army in February 1942 and was attached Gilbert and Fr Timothy McGrath were the other two) to the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion. to serve at OLSH who were recognised for their Army valour (Both Frs Gilbert and McGrath Though he did not have to, Earl were awarded the Military Cross.) often accompanied the attacking Ill health caused his retirement but soldiers to the front line of he took on retreat work and spiritual action at Kokoda and helped direction that would have taxed the to attend the wounded. Before strength of a younger and healthier the end of the New Guinea man. He was ‘Fr Perpetual Motion’ campaign he buried up to 350 of and died in Calvary Hospital in 1979 his battalion, men he was ready v to give his own life for. while relieving the chaplain there.

References inlcude MSC publications

Lance Corporal Tom Keating Carmel Tanna

om Keating was your classic lovable Aus- St Brigid’s, Coogee, sie larrikin, and everyone adored him. He being a short walk came from a large family, and was a tailor from his home, he felt byT trade. He was devoted to boxing, and had an a connection to the impressive collection of championships under his Randwick parish, and belt as a featherweight boxer. He went on to serve went on to have his with the 33rd Battalion on the Western Front during son christened there. the First World War, and the Australian War Memo- Despite surviving rial has recorded his bravery as a soldier by noting the First World that, ‘He displayed the greatest courage and initiative War, Tom’s life was under heavy machine gun and artillery fire, and has at tragically cut short all times been a splendid example to his comrades.’ following a motor Tom was recommended for the Distinguished Service bike accident on Medal by the American Army. Coogee Bay Road.

With Tom’s devout Catholic family ever praying for He was 36 years old. Tom had a special something his safe return, he made it home relatively uninjured that enabled him to remain remembered and much and went on to marry at Our Lady of the Sacred loved by the family that knew him, and the following Heart Catholic Church at Randwick in 1926. Despite generations that didn’t. v Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 7

A Letter From Rome Fr Chris McPhee msc

Fr Chris McPhee was an assistant priest at OLSH in 2000 - 2002. Now he writes from Rome where he is an Assistant General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

t all began September 2011, I am not at all very when I was elected to be a close to the Vatican delegate for the Australian nor have I met the Iprovince of the Missionaries of the Pope personally. In Sacred Heart (MSC), in Madrid, fact, where I live is Spain. While at this gathering of about 45 minutes by MSCs from all over the world I public transport to the was asked to give a presentation Vatican. But, it has on the central values of forming been extraordinary to young men to be Missionaries of see so many people the Sacred Heart today. It was at do we have in place to allow our here over Christmas and Easter and this gathering that I happened to be younger MSCs every opportunity to be part of the great event - from elected an Assistant General and to experience it for themselves and Birth to Christ Risen! to be part of our worldwide MSC to discover bucket loads of love; so leadership team. that they too can lead others into Rome is truly a very interesting this same loving experience? place. It is also an avenue to hear My main area of responsibility so many theological insights that is in the area of formation. This, Further to this challenge today help me with an understanding in recent times, has allowed and one connected directly with of where we are in the world. me to visit many parts of our this experience of the love of God, Part of my relaxing here is that congregation. Furthermore, is the whole area of Professional every Sunday I try to get out and during the past two years my Standards combined with Integrity to see something different of this main concentration has been in in Ministry. Areas such as human beautiful city. In fact it is a fantastic the Asia Pacific area of our MSC development, adult maturity, self- city to live in. It’s both ancient and congregation. My brief has been knowledge and self-awareness, new, it’s very religious while at the to accompany formation programs boundaries, together with ministry same time very secular. The sites, throughout the Congregation and skills are all needed to be explored. the people, its history, its tradition. to encourage peer support, mutual If developed well, this will give our everything about it, one keeps collaboration and interaction MSC worldwide the competency discovering and learning something between formators, and for me and the confidence to truly minister new every week. I love it and I love personally this has become a as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart learning something new. priority. of Jesus. Oh! The coffee!!!!… the coffee One of my greatest challenges here is excellent. So is the pasta is this: for everyone everywhere and the ice-cream… heaven! to first experience God’s love, Oh! The coffee!!!! not just the MSCs, but everyone, everywhere! Here again, I see the I miss very much working closely need to be working directly with at a local level. I miss being those MSCs who are working I say this, because at present the involved with young adults and with our young men; to help, to Church is facing a major crisis of of listening to the energy and walk with, and to discover ways credibility with regard to human excitement, the hopes and dreams in which to recognize this intimate relationships, abuse, and with the of what could be, tapping into the knowing of God’s love, so that they protection of minors. We have to dream of God. I miss working too can mission this experience to be clear and transparent about all with people of all ages, sharing all to whom they minister. of this, as it can only go toward the journey together. But I also helping our MSC Congregation love what lays ahead of me. And I Which leads me to the challenge to minister freely in ways that are know how important it is to keep that lays ahead for me as one being healthy, mature and professional. the vision of ‘being on earth the in leadership: So, How do we heart of God’ alive throughout our do this? How do we go about it, On another note, often people think MSC mission. Hopefully together what programs, what retreats, and I live very close to the Vatican and we can make the dream of God, the retreat models do we use? What have direct access to the Pope. mission of God a reality – being on resources, processes, and structures Even though he is my local bishop earth the heart of God! v Page 8 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Families: The Brophys

he Brophy family has Following lived in Cowper Street, Lena’s death, Randwick, in one form Lance married orT another for close on 90 years. Dorothy Smith The family’s involvement with in Launceston in Randwick began when John November 1941. Brophy married Helena Catherine The Brophys Horgan in St Patrick’s Church, had known the Cork, Ireland on 20th October Smiths and their 1881. They left from Plymouth extended family on 12th November that year on in Tasmania for the SS Garonne for Australia and many years, arrived in Sydney early the next Lance having year. They settled in Redfern. visited there They had eight children (three many times as part of his work priests, the OLSH nuns and the girls and five boys) seven surviv- for the timber company E.D. Pike parish of Randwick. ing, of whom Lance, born in 1889, & Co. Lance and Dorothy hon- was the third. Lance Brophy left eymooned at Wrest Point Hotel The 1950s and 1960s were periods school after 6th class to work in in Hobart, during most of which of much fund raising for the par- the commercial area and slowly time the airline lost their luggage, ish and the Orders. There were rose in the timber business. His and then flew back to Sydney and garden parties, the Brophys had a other brothers were engineers and settled in Cowper Street. Dorothy large backyard so a few of them had the engineering works of C & had been an infants and primary were held there, ‘Melbourne Cup R Brophy behind their house in school teacher in Tasmania. She afternoons’ with a sweep and, of Boronia Street, Redfern. was also an accomplished singer, course, the ever present ‘choco- having broadcast on ABC radio late wheel’, progressive dinners in Tasmania, an accomplished (at which each course was had at a different house), fetes (for both ...an accomplished amateur actress, elocutionist and tennis player. She won the grand the parish and the various reli- amateur actress… championship in speech and music gious Orders associated with the at the Launceston Eisteddfod in parish), and even for the building 1938. of St Margret Mary’s church – at that stage, like now, the area to When Lance married Lena Cooper Coming to Sydney in the early be served by St Margaret Mary’s in early 1929 they came to live in years of the Second World War, Cowper Street. She was described especially with Lance either work- as a ‘delightful personality’ and of ing long hours or travelling in the …befriended by a ‘sympathetic and kindly nature’. country, was rather daunting for Was ‘untiring in her labours on Dorothy but she was befriended Norman Compton… behalf of Our Lady’s Nurses, by Norma Compton who lived the St Vincent de Paul Society, opposite in Cowper Street, and did and various charities under the so for the next sixty years. They was still part of Randwick parish auspices of the Catholic Women’s were lifelong friends. Lance and – there was a ‘buy a brick’ drive. Association’. Dorothy had one child, Joe. He Because of Dorothy’s musical started school at Brigidine Col- background she also organised She was also an active member of lege (Infants school was co-ed) musical evenings and concerts to the Catholic Lawn Tennis Asso- then primary school at De La Salle raise money for the parish. ciation and the Randwick Tennis College, Coogee (now St Brigid’s Club. Lena died in March 1941, Primary School) and Our Lady of Dorothy obtained her driver’s after a long illness which resulted the Sacred Heart College, Bowral, licence in 1950 and the Brophys from an automobile accident in then back to De La Salle College then purchased a car. Lance had Centennial Park, in which she was for high school. This period of had his licence for many years but driving and which occurred only Joe’s education corresponded with had seldom driven after Lena’s eight months after they married. the start of Lance and Dorothy’s, accident. Cars were not that plenti- They had no children. in particular, work for the MSC ful in those days and Dorothy used Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 9

to put herself at the service of the for a term each then joined the New Orleans. In December 1995 priests and nuns as a ‘chauffeur’. Education Department, first on he married Anne Moss at St Joan This had its advantages, particu- the casual staff and then on the of Arc, Haberfield. The house in larly while Joe was in boarding temporary staff, taking exams in Cowper Street, which had been school and someone needed to be 1963 to supplement Tasmanian two flats for the first 18 months of transported to Bowral. qualifications. Dorothy then taught Lance and Dorothy’s married life at Maroubra Bay Infants School was once again rearranged into There was also a Parish Ball on a for almost 15 yrs. two dwellings, with Dorothy liv- relatively frequent basis. At these ing downstairs. In February 1997 Balls a group of debutantes would Emma was born and Joan Taylor, be presented to an invited guest …also a the then President of the Sacred by the matron of honour. In 1956 Parish Ball…. Heart Sodality, was thrilled to be Dorothy was the matron of honour able to announce to the members and the VIP was the Apostolic at their 1st Friday Mass that Doro- Delegate to Australia, Archbishop During these years she did not thy Brophy was finally a Grand- Romolo Carboni. That year the have as much free time but still mother, she was 86 at the time. Parish Ball was held in the Rain- managed to make many sets of Two other grand children, Andrew bow Room of the Hotel Australia. vestments for the Missions and for and Simon, arrived and Dorothy Preparing for these balls was a the parish, including the pink set loved having them visit, play and rather time consuming process as for Latare and Gaudate Sundays chat, though by this stage she was the debutantes and their partners in Lent and Advent. She was also getting frail and could no longer had to learn the required dances a tireless worker for the Sacred manage the stairs at home. and protocol for the presentation – Heart Sodality in Randwick. even then the old dances were not Lance died in December 1961. Dorothy passed away peacefully well known. Lance more or less Dorothy retired in 1975 and took on 1st May 2001 and is buried, kept in the background but was advantage of the opportunity to with Lance (and Lena) in Rand- able to assist the various religious travel overseas to see some of the wick Cemetery. The next genera- orders in his capacity as a busi- places that she had read about over tion of Brophys also is involved nessman. the years. She took several trips in the Parish, with Anne a reader to the UK and Europe (these were and Joe on the Parish Pastoral Lance Brophys health started to the days when it was still possible Committee. Emma, Andrew and decline in the late 1950s and he to travel to Europe by boat, some- Simon all attended OLSH Primary retired in mid-1958. He did not thing she thoroughly enjoyed) and School, with Emma now at Brigi- have superannuation and Dorothy also to China. dine College and Simon at Mar- went back to teaching in 1960 to cellin College. Andrew is pursuing become the breadwinner of the Joe returned to Randwick in 1976 a ‘creative’ education at Newtown family. She taught the kindergar- to work at the University of New High School for the Performing ten class at Holy Cross, Woollahra South Wales, having spent 6 of the Arts, their grandmother, Dorothy, and Brigidine College, Randwick previous 7 years in Melbourne and would be proud. v

Thinking about the Novena Nita Fleming

am approaching my story backwards. As I moved from my seat at Our Lady’s Shrine at the conclusion of our Thursday Novena to join the 12 o’clock Mass, I looked up, my eyes dwelt on two boxes beautifully trimmed with gold satin, and I thought therein contains requests to Our Lady for help from today’s afflic- Itions, and the many thank you’s for the favours received. I could not help but say ‘thank you’ for being given the grace to be part of it. My story now begins one half hour earlier, busy life, yes but I thought, yes I could fit in one half hour for Our Lady. The opening Novena prayers were recited, next the Novena group commenced and sang Woman of the Sacred Heart, the prayer in song rang out with faith and love, and then Father read the petitions. What faith I thought, how could I not be here every Thursday? I began to weigh up my own ledger of life, and I say Jesus and his Blessed Mother have given me more blessings and gifts than I deserve. Now back to the gold boxes, I pray and have become aware of the faith and love in the gold boxes, and thank Our Lady for the love she shares with us all. v Page 10 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

Building a New Nation Sr Pat Murray IBVM

Sr Pat Murray, a Loreto nun, was the subject of a documentary on the ABC’s Compass program late last year about the work of a missionary group in South Sudan. In this article she gives us an update on recent events in that country. (The Loreto Sisters taught the girls at OLSH primary school way back in 1892-1898).

s news of fighting throughout the country. The they had little knowledge and few between rival groups in Catholic Health Training Institute skills. Now he and his companions South Sudan dominates (CHTI) graduated its first two know, from practical experience theA international news media these class groups of nurses in 2013. in local hospitals and clinics, that days, it would be easy to forget By 2014 students numbers should they are well trained professionals. the progress that has already been reach almost 100. These students made in this, the newest country have made extraordinary progress in the world. Since 2006 a new during their three and half year A New Missionary missionary endeavour called residential program. One of the Endeavour Solidarity with South Sudan has students said recently that when Solidarity with South Sudan developed to help build the capac- he thought of nurses that he knew was formed in 2006, after the ity of the local South Sudanese by signing of the Comprehensive training teachers, nurses, mid- Peace Agreement when the Sudan wives and diocesan personnel. I What Does the Future Hold for South Sudan? Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have been privileged to be part invited members of religious of this initiative since its begin- While the recent conflict has congregations to come and bring ning. This capacity building is an affected many, the actual fighting hope and healing to the people enormous undertaking in a region was contained to areas around of Southern Sudan. Religious that was largely neglected when the key towns of Bor, Bentiu and congregations came together to part of the greater Sudan and Malakal. Here the loss of life, pool their limited resources of where illiteracy rates still rank as destruction of property and the personnel and finances to help the some of the highest in the world. massive displacement of people people of this war torn region. To date almost 1,600 teachers – of has awakened old enmities and Initially 19 sisters, brothers whom nearly 400 are women- reopened the wounds of previous and priests volunteered to go have followed in-service training traumas. Solidarity members to South Sudan as teacher and programmes offered by Solidarity have continued various training nurse trainers, administrators staff members. One of Solidarity’s and pastoral programs in other and pastoral workers. Most had goals is to improve educational parts of this country. They visit already worked as missionaries opportunities for women and girls UN camps where thousands of in other parts of the world and in South Sudan. During 2013 the internally displaced people are they brought a rich store of two teacher training colleges at provided with food, water and experience to this new mission. Malakal and Yambio have seen sanitation in secure locations. When they arrived in South Sudan their first students graduate as new Most commentators agree that the first task was to build simple teachers, often taking up positions the present armed conflict has accommodation and construct in newly built schools. its roots in differing political the teacher training colleges visions within the Sudan People’s and restore the damaged health It is wonderful to see the joy of Liberation Movement. The training institute. This was no easy teachers and trainee teachers as fragility of peace in South Sudan task as building material had to be they gain new competencies and emphasizes the importance of the brought down the Nile from Cairo new confidence. They know the work undertaken by Solidarity in or Khartoum or by road from challenge that awaits them as forming leaders who will build Nairobi and Kampala. Currently they will return to schools where a peaceful reconciled nation. there are 31 full-time Solidarity their colleagues have received At a recent peace march in Juba members who are members of 18 little formal training. They have the women present appealed to different religious congregations learnt to take a new pride in their their leaders saying: ‘If you ask - including two Australians Brs. profession and realize that they anyone in this country….small or Bill Firman fsc and Dennis Loft will be needed to serve as leaders big, weak or strong, rich or poor, fsc. Each year they are joined by for peace and reconciliation in they will certainly tell you that short term lay volunteers who their local communities. they want peace and not war.’ Let have largely come from Australia. us join them in praying that the Solidarity communities are an Trained nurses and midwives current cessation of hostilities may important witness of what can be are vital if adequate health care lead to a lasting peace. achieved when people of different services are to be provided nations live and work together. v Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 11

A Retiree Thinks of the Past – and the Future Michael Costigan

After a distinguished career as priest, canon lawyer, journalist, and Church administrator (Executive Secretary to the Bishops Committee for Justice Development, Ecology and Peace), and a father of three daughters, Michael Costigan offers this personal reflection during this ninth year of his active retirement.

eing a child of that year Associate Editor of his weekly in the heart of the Great paper, The Advocate, gave me a Depression, 1931, like diocesan role as Defender of the (Marriage) Bond and approved BRupert Murdoch, Mikail Gor- Margaret Costigan - Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez bachev, my late twin brother Frank my returning to Rome in 1963 Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Costigan QC and many other to report Vatican II’s second Honduras - Michael Costigan octogenarians, I have ample scope session for the Catholic press in biographies, a critical one by for reflecting. Australia. the late James Griffin, had been Significant anniversaries stimulate Before leaving for Italy, I visited launched on the previous day. reflection. I choose two, both him at his request in his home, Another, by my friend Brenda occurring during March this year. ‘Raheen’, and spent three hours in Niall, the acclaimed biographer, is One is the 150th anniversary on conversation with him. I noticed coming soon. 4 March of the birth in Ireland of Hans Kung’s book on the Council Reflections of a different kind, Melbourne’s famous Archbishop and Reunion by his elbow. Six related more to the future than the Daniel Mannix. The other is the weeks after that last of my several past, are inspired by Pope Francis. first anniversary on 13 March of meetings with him, he died, on the election of Argentina’s Jorge 6 November 1963, just a few As a huge admirer of Blessed Bergoglio to the papacy. months short of his 100th birthday. (soon to be Saint) Pope John XXIII, whom I met three times In the home in which my seven in my Roman years and whose siblings and I were raised in the Council, Vatican II, changed my Melbourne suburb of Preston in ...the man from life, I had not expected to see the 1930s and 40s, Dr Mannix Buenos Aires... another Pope whom I would rank was a much honoured figure. His with him. Then came the man framed photo was on our living from Buenos Aires. room wall, as it was in thousands of Victorian Catholic homes. He Daniel Mannix remains one of The Argentinian-born Pontiff has confirmed me in his cathedral, in my heroes, certainly one of the set about transforming the Church the shadow of which stood the greatest persons I ever knew, at a time when change and reform Jesuit school, St Patrick’s College, even if I now see that, like all are even more patently needed where my four brothers and I, of us, he had his flaws. Many of than they were when Angelo like our father and two Reverend my memories as I look back on Giuseppe Roncalli, Patriarch of grand-uncles, were educated. eight decades are linked with this Venice, ascended the Throne of outstanding Irish-Australian. Peter in 1958. Sometimes the Archbishop would visit the school, a seedbed of In 1972, long after his death and If the Lord grants me a few more priestly and religious vocations. At after Pope Paul VI had dispensed years, I hope to see more of the other times, usually in our lunch- me in 1969 from priestly fruits of the ministry of this Jesuit hour, he would greet and talk to us obligations, my wife Margaret Pope. I hope to see a Church in on the footpath near the school, as and I were married by the late which social justice, effective he neared the end of his legendary Cardinal Knox in the small chapel compassion for the disadvantaged four-mile daily walk from Kew to in ‘Raheen’. Inevitably we thought and impoverished, real advances East Melbourne. He would exhort of Daniel, the renowned former in ecumenism, a spirit of humility us to pay attention to the teaching resident, that day. and repentance, full adhesion to of our Jesuit masters. Gospel values and an unreserved As recently as last year, I returned commitment to all that Vatican II Later, Mannix accepted me one day to Melbourne for a stood for, will prevail. into his seminary at Werribee, fascinating seminar in the State also Jesuit-run. In 1952, he sent Library devoted to Mannix and his I rejoice that two of my friends, me to Rome to complete my role in Australian church and state Cardinals George Pell and Oscar studies in theology and law and history. It marked the centenary Rodriguez Maradiaga, will have to be ordained there. After my of his arrival in Melbourne from key roles in helping to bring this return in 1961, he appointed me Ireland in 1913. One of his many about. v Page 12 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

Of Matters, Cosmic and Mundane Carmel Maguire

n stumbling into the brave still toilets. These are in Myanmar, cards received by post brought me new world of 2014 I tripped and are bright blue – one of them is as much joy as one received online over a Christmas stamp. pictured below. from a friend in Iran. The message INormally a small impediment to was powerful and inspiring in both progress even for aged legs, so English and Farsi - please let me explain. Destined for God Is Love ... and God Loves All cards sent to Asia and the Pacific People Everywhere. - for $1.80, the design was at best undistinguished, but the message Happily the Grace of God is startling. In a mid-stamp flour- in all things – including us. A ish appeared the words, ‘Merry few months ago, Mercy sister, Christmas Island’, with ‘Merry’ Margaret Hinchey, shared with in green and ‘Christmas Island’ in WATAC Eastern Suburbs Group red, on a yellow ground. I did not her appreciation of God’s grace make this up. Here it is. to be gleaned from advances in scientific knowledge of the cosmos. Along with them are the water Marg asked us to think about what tanks, on which the donor’s name is happens when our world view inscribed. changes but our theology doesn’t, and why we need new identity as Shown is ‘my’ water tank, which cosmological beings. is one of 40, brought into being by Rosemary Breen, of Inverell, and 100 years ago we believed we were also of Africa and Southeast Asia. inhabitants of the only galaxy: She is pictured with some of the now we know there are 100 billion locals who in their remote village galaxies and counting. In this newly now have clean water from the minted and newly minting universe, If it was meant to be satire, it rivals new tank. Over the past 10 years God is not something extrinsic but the award of the Nobel Peace in Myanmar, Rosemary has not at work in the whole process. Marg Prize to Henry Kissinger. If it was only been instrumental in providing gave us assurances from Christian pride in national achievement, it potable water and sanitation for theology that the whole process is is astonishing. Even at the height villages but also in teaching English empowered from within by a God of Stalinist domination, Russians to teachers there. Rosemary’s motto who is the dynamic reality at the were not offered the chance to greet heart of the whole process of the neighbours with a ‘Merry Gulag’ self-organizing universe. As Karl stamp. If it was subversion of Rahner sees it: ‘The world becomes, government policy, there may yet be in a literal sense, a sacrament of hope for the Australian Post Office’s the presence of God, a “mysterious stamp designers. Needless to say, it infinity” where the transcendent is was not the stamp used on my cards to be discovered’. v to friends in Asia and the Pacific. I realize that we have since NASA have provided great pictures, progressed to the locked-down posters and text to accompany orange boats, occasionally musings on our expanding universe erroneously referred to as is ‘Life doesn’t have a remote. So in ‘Visions of the universe’, ‘lifeboats’, in which refugees get up and change it’. This is advice available to all at no cost from are supposed to be returned to which she puts into effect. So you http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/ sender. Sydney residents need have been warned, but if you want visions. There is also from a poet not contemplate even a ferry trip to know more about her ‘Water a vision which may comfort even to Manly without toilets. Not so tanks for Burma project’, her email those whose placement on Manus, for the orange boat passengers is [email protected]. It is Nauru or Christmas Island is whose destination is uncertain unlikely that your life will remain made difficult by some of earth’s and the length of their journey unchanged. other inhabitants. In Kneeling at undetermined. Hooray for email and iPods and Bethlehem Ann Weems lets us know If you are sick of this Jeremiad, iPads and all that. At least one of that ‘It is not over, this birthing. stick around, there is a change the recent Christmas stamps will There are always newer skies into coming, even though the topic is not be missed, and none of the which God can throw stars’. Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 13

A Principal Says Good Bye Anne-Louise Walton

Ann-Louise Walton was Principal of St Margaret Mary’s School, North Randwick from 2003 to 2013. In this edited version of her farewell speech to the school community she reflected on her time at the school.

ifts come in all shapes It is a daily pleasure to walk into is the immediate reminder of the and sizes. Sometimes the building and hear the buzz core purpose and I receive, every they can be recognised of voices upstairs, talking and time, the gift of strength to go Gand accepted easily. Other times sharing. Through their efforts, back and carry on. Each child is an you barely notice they are there. St Margaret Mary’s is truly a individual who is pursuing his or A gift can be expected, like a place of life-long learning where birthday present, but often they are the challenges of a changing unexpected, a surprise. In a busy- curriculum and a changing Support of the ness of life, sometimes, gifts can world are met with courage and be ignored or overlooked and their determination. The well-being and parents precious message lost. But, fortu- the academic needs of the children nately, there is often that moment are at the heart of all the teachers’ of awareness and the gifts that work. They measure success not her own path of learning, growing surround us are very evident, wait- by the test scores but by each within the community to establish ing patiently to be acknowledged child’s emotional, spiritual and their own unique individuality. and used. Receiving these gifts, academic growth. They support Each child, branching out, offered from so many sources each other and give generously of embraces the challenge of throughout our lives, is always a their time over and beyond what reaching the heights of their privilege. is asked. They are a team in every potential. It is a source of wonder sense of the word. and renewal to have been a part of that journey with so many children Amazing team The gift of the school community over so many years. is multifaceted and marvellous. of teachers The evidence of the strength of the As I move into the next phase of support of the parents and carers my life, I take all these gifts with is in the spirit of the partnership me. They are deeply part of me Thinking about my years as a which we share. We grow together and have formed me. There is no teacher and, especially today, as a community each year and sense of loss or even sadness in about my time here at St Margaret share the common goal of wanting leaving because these gifts are in Mary’s, I am reminded of the and working for the very best for my heart, always remembered. many gifts I have received. At our children/students. I treasure The future holds the promise of the heart is the gift of faith. As a the great gift of being invited into more gifts but they will add to teacher, and a Principal, I have the lives of families to share in the my treasure and not replace it. It been blessed with the opportunity joys and the sadness, the successes is an enormous privilege to have to contribute to the building of and the trials. received all you have given me God’s kingdom. Working in and I hope that I have been able partnership with our parents, in this small way to express my teachers and our Parish Priests, ...the greatest gift thanks. It is tempting to stay in I have been proud to see the familiar places and with those you charism of our founding order, of all has to be the know but in the words of the poet the Brigidine Sisters flourish, Robert Frost: strengthened by the Heart children Spirituality of the Missionaries The woods are lovely, of the Sacred Heart. I have the dark and deep. very valuable gift of working with But the greatest gift of all has to Fr Peter, our inspirational Parish be the children. I am grateful for But I have promises to keep, Priest. His support for our school their enthusiasm, their passion and and community is the strong part excitement for learning, for their And miles to go before of our foundation. insights and reflections. Whenever I sleep, the paperwork, phone calls, Another gift I have been given emails, CEO business, etc gets too And miles to go before is an amazing team of teachers. much, I visit a classroom. There I sleep. Page 14 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014

The Church in Aotearoa New Zealand Simone Olsen

Simone Olsen is the national communications adviser for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops. Here she tells of the activities of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. s I write to you we in The schools them- Aotearoa New Zealand selves, founded by are remembering those various religious thatA tragically lost their lives in orders such as the the Christchurch Earthquake of Mercy Sisters, Mission February 2011 and the ongoing Sisters, The Society of distress and anxiety as the region Mary, the De La Salle rebuilds. Many church buildings brothers and the like, in the Christchurch Diocese were foster an understanding damaged in the earthquakes and of the charisms of their Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch it meant that parish communities founders, so much so had to merge and buildings and that at gatherings of students from State and a growing number of schools were shared so that life Catholic Schools you will hear people who have no religious af- could continue; it has had a com- many students and teachers refer- filiation. This can pose a challenge forting and stabilising effect as ring to these. to our Bishops in the way they people dealt with the loss, distress communicate to those in the wider and trauma. The Diocese contin- Our schools and parishes are society. There is at times confu- ues a process of rebuilding and ethnically diverse communities sion about the Church’s place in strengthening of our communities. reflecting the diversity of our public debate. Some think that country. This brings both great because there is clear separation Like any natural disaster or opportunity and challenges as we between Church and State that tragedy that occurs, it became an strive to nurture welcoming and the Church has no place in public opportunity for people to rally cohesive multicultural communi- policy debate because to do so around those that are affected ties within a bicultural context that is to impose religious views on and give generously of their time, respects Maori - the first people of the rest of New Zealand. Bishops talents and treasures to bring help, our nation. are alert to being clear not only comfort and support in their times on their position on issues being of need. Catholic Maori play an important debated but why it is important to role in the life and leadership of participate in the discussion. The recent experience of Christch- the Church. Te Runanga o te Hahi urch as well as the well-known Katorika ki Aotearoa is the nation- Much of this discussion in wider risk of seismic activity in the al body established by the New society is carried out alongside Wellington region has led to the Zealand Catholic Bishops Confer- other Christian denominations, Archdiocese of Wellington em- ence to advise the bishops on the with church leaders meeting regu- barking on a long-term project to pastoral care and evangelisation of larly to discuss social issues. The assess and make decisions around Maori, and to foster understand- Catholic Church enjoys good, sup- the strengthening of its buildings. ing and communication within the portive ecumenical relationships There has been a high level of Church on matters pertaining to which are helpful in advocating on engagement with other property Maori pastoral care. behalf of people affected by these owners, developers, users and issues to Government Ministers civic authorities on the challenges The pastoral care of Maori is and policy makers. In recent years of balancing heritage values, peo- organised in different ways in the this has included, family poverty, ple’s safety and the funds required six dioceses. Some dioceses have welfare provisions, food security, to meet new building standards. a Vicar for Maori, while others housing and health. have a Maori chaplaincy. Priests, This is also a challenge facing our religious and lay people are all Many of our friends from other schools. Catholic schools are in- involved in the pastoral care of Christian denominations and the tegrated into the state system and Maori. wider community have comment- receive funding from the Ministry ed to us that they’re inspired and of Education but are managed by For a relatively small Catho- buoyed by the comments of Pope the New Zealand Catholic Educa- lic population, approximately Francis. They are inspired by his tion Office. There are 238 Catholic 500,000, we have six diocesan emphasis on compassion, especial- Schools throughout New Zea- Bishops and approximately 200 ly for those who are struggling in land. Three of them are Catholic diocesan priests. Priests of some way, are marginalised or ex- Maori Colleges. They enjoy a religious orders help wherever periencing suffering. As we head good reputation widely for their they can in parish communities. towards the first anniversary of his special character and values, good Aotearoa New Zealand is known election, for many of us Catholics academic and sporting results and as a secular country, with clear in Aotearoa New Zealand there is management of students. separation between Church and a feeling of joyful hope. v Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 Page 15

A Philippines Experience Liam Thorne

Liam Thorne, a parishioner of St Margaret Mary’s visited the Philippines last year with some of his senior classmates from St Aloysius College as part of that school’s Immersion Program. This is his story. n 30 November 14 are very poor; yet always classmates and myself, smiling. The children joined our Rector Fr Peter were inspiring; relishing OHoskins, Jesuit scholastic Nico the basketball and cricket Lariosa, and teacher Mrs Virginia we played with them Cobb, for a journey of discovery. and were generally filled with joy, despite their Our first experience was to be opportunities being lives. They receive few visitors. billeted in metropolitan Manila devastatingly limited. Working on Here we reflected on the notion with well off, hospitable host a GK site is about care by sharing of freedom, our various contexts families. We experienced many and showing concern for the that put boundaries around us, and luxuries we do not have here. This locals. We reflected that ‘It is more how the gift of our faith can often highlighted the vast difference in important how we do what we are allow us to find a deeper spiritual social classes there. Skyscrapers doing than what we do’. cast shadows over the ever-present freedom. In Muntinlupa we were billeted slums. The government attempted Our final experience was at St with the families of prisoners to hide these behind enormous Martin De Porres’ Orphanage. The or released prisoners in simple bill boards advertising glitz and children were mostly innocent one room affairs, often housing glamour beyond the reach of street kids who had been rescued. a family of seven or eight. Most ordinary folk. We sang and played with them had neither electricity nor running enjoying each other’s simple water. Despite our anxieties, People walked on dirty roads friendship. Masses celebrated here hospitality and care was offered us. while we were driven by personal and throughout the Philippines We visited the Minimum, Medium drivers. In Manilla, we encountered were powerful experiences. and Maximum security prisons. hundreds of people who had been Huge numbers of all ages attend Sentences in the Philippines are flown up in C-130 Hercules and enthusiastically showing their harsh; those in ‘Medium’ serve relocated from the south where the devotion to God in ways I have sentences up to 20 years. typhoon had hit only weeks before. rarely experienced at home. It was confronting to see these Most compelling was our time people had only the clothes on with the Youth Offenders. They their back. Our school community were very welcoming, thanking us They receive and host families donated food, for visiting them. Conversations water and clothes to these shattered flowed easily, and we grew in our few visitors people. understanding of what prison-life is like. The prisoners explained The people here they felt ‘like sardines in a tin can’. The experience of our Philippines Their food was bland and tasteless. immersion was a privilege. We are very poor They spoke of how the gangs ruled were forced out of our comfort through a strict punishment system. zones and surrendered to the experience of the unknown. More personal was their The experience has changed us, We experienced the local social descriptions of why they had been hierarchy, and witnessed how becoming a group of 15 brothers in imprisoned. The crimes varied arms, and know relationships can those of ‘lower status’ such as the from theft and possession and maids and drivers were ignored form deeply when you allow them distribution of illegal drugs, to to do so. Our experience has joined and treated inequitably. This molestation, rape, and homicide. led us to question how the local us with a common mission. What We were touched by their regret that mission will be in the future is society could justify this. Upon and distress at the pain their reflection, we recognised the hard to define but we will always behaviour caused. A recurring be enlightened by our time in the situation is similar here. The poor theme in their stories was how their and homeless are mostly ignored in Philippines, and the opportunity crimes were driven by poverty to wake up, walk outside, and feel Sydney, due to our conformity to - perhaps crimes of necessity to societal behaviour. like we’re collectively making a survive. Some were resultant difference to at least some people’s In Gawad Kalinga (GK) we from prior abuse and from broken lives. assisted locals build houses in St families. It helped us better Aloysius’ Village. Each immersion understand their motives. There We thank the generous members of group builds two houses and since were many regrets in not heeding the St Margaret Mary’s Community 2005, 48 houses have been built parents, and pointed warnings not who donated funds for our house by our students. The people here to make the same mistakes in our building. v Page 16 Randwick Parish Magazine, Number 33, March 2014 St Margaret Mary’s The Back Page w i t h f r peter Clovelly Rd (cnr Avoca St) Randwick North NSW 2031 his time last year we were speculating about who our new Pope might be. This year the speculation turns to who our new Archbishop might be Our Lady of the with the transferal of Cardinal Pell to the Group of 8 Cardinals to help the Sacred Heart popeT in the governance of the Vatican. 193 Avoca St There has been a lot of media coverage about the ‘Francis Effect’ on the image of Randwick NSW 2031 the Papacy and the Church since his election. Pope Francis’s vision for the Church is to be found in his recently released Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelium Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, where all Catholics are called to be ‘missionary disciples’. While there is a populist feel to this Pope, and we saw it in Rio for World Youth Phone: Day and his conversational style of speaking, nonetheless there is nothing populist 9399 6775 about what he calls us to: ‘I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its own security’. EG( 49) His personal actions have Web: placed his emphasis squarely on the needs of the poor, the sick and the outcasts. www.sacredheart.org.au He has stated he wants the role of women in the Church to be more involved in the decision making. However, he has said ‘But I would call this a ‘functional’ promo- Email: tion. That won’t take us very far’. He has appeared on Rolling Stone magazine’s cover and was Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. His humble actions, like wash- [email protected] ing the feet of prisoners, his advocacy for the cause of refugees and asylum seekers seen in his early visit to Lampedusa Island, Italy’s main port of call for North Parish Staff Africans fleeing poverty and unrest has brought inspiration to so many.

Fr Peter Hearn msc Parish Priest Pope Francis has struck a different note reported on in the media, more engaging Fr Prasad Rao msc at a personal level. And his response: ‘I don’t like this mythology of Pope Francis. It seems offensive to me to depict the pope as some sort of superman or a kind of Fr Douglas Smith msc star. The pope is a man who laughs, cries, sleeps soundly at night and has friends just like anyone else’. general Staff From the beginning he has ‘remembered the poor’. He speaks often of Catholic Anita Micallef Social teaching with the need to act for the common good. He has denounced Trish Myers ‘trickle down’ economic theory and been roundly denounced for it. Family life is certainly on the agenda with an extraordinary Synod of Bishops assembly called Brigidine house for October this year. This has been a hot topic in Germany where three bishops in hostel chaplain 1993, published a pastoral letter suggesting that remarried divorcees, after consul- tation with a priest or bishop, might be allowed to receive Communion on a case- Fr Patrick Sharpe msc by-case basis. The proposal was opposed by the then Cardinal Ratzinger and his present successor. It is a live pastoral issue. The German Bishops also published indoNesian chaplain their results of a pastoral consultation issued by the Vatican concerning Marriage and Family life. This came in the form of a questionnaire available to the laity. I Fr Aloysius Tamnge msc was waiting for some information from our Diocese on the matter, but must have overlooked it in correspondence. The German responses, somehow not surpris- Parish Magazine email ingly, show that there is a wide divergence of lived experience and belief among German laity and the official teaching of the Church on matters of divorce, contra- ception, and pre-marital cohabitation. [email protected] Pope Francis has poured cold water on any attempts to reform the Sacrament of Copies of past editions of Reconciliation via the Third Rite – general absolution - so popular in the 1980s in the Parish Magazine are these parts. He insists that we must confess our sins to a priest: ‘Someone might now available on the say, ‘I confess only to God’. But our sins are also against our brothers and sisters, Parish website. against the Church; and for this it is necessary to ask forgiveness of the church and our brethren-in the person of the priest. Shame is good. It’s healthy to have a bit of Editors welcome feedback on the shame…it makes us more humble’. magazine and its contents. On the home front, Cardinal Pell has had oversight of the Sydney Archdiocese at Email to: one of the most trying times in the history of the Church so disfigured by the abuse [email protected] scandals. He has a genuine interest and concern for his people and priests. We or place in an envelope marked thank him for his dedicated ministry and leadership among us, and wish him all the V ‘magazine’ in the Parish Office. very best for his health and new ministry at the Vatican.