Champagnat: an International Marist Journal of Education and Charism January–March 2010 Volume 12 Number 1 in THIS ISSUE … Joinsigns Our of Conversation the Times On
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Champagnat Champagnat : : an International Marist Journal of Education and Charism January–March 2010 12 Number 1 Volume an International Marist Journal of Education and Charism Volume 12 Number 1 January–March 2010 Signs of the times Constance Lewis Desmond Connelly Charles Gay Bill McCarthy Alice Williams Verity Guiton IN THIS ISSUE … JoinSigns our of conversation the times on Featuring Constance Lewis on Mary MacKillop's legacy Desmond Connelly on charism's progress Charles Gay on the definitions of sin Bill McCarthy on Maryanne Confoy's book ORDER FORM PLEASE PHOTOCOPY OR DETACH THIS SECTION AND MAIL TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS NO. OF COPIES NO. OF COPIES REQUIRED REQUIRED GOD OF SURPRISES CD $25* ALBUM $20* DARE TO DREAM (1994) CD $20* ALBUM $15* SING SPIRIT-SING LIFE (1996) CD $20* ALBUM $15* NAME: ADDRESS: NB: Please send no money. An invoice will be enclosed with the goods. *Postage not included Champagnat An International Marist Journal of Education and Charism Volume 12 Number 1 January–March 2010 COMMENT 3 Beginnings John McMahon 8 Joining the dance in South Africa Ambrose Kelly 10 Our contributors FEATURED ARTICLES 12 Song without words: Desmond Connelly reflections on charism 28 Mary MacKillop and the founding of the Josephites Constance Lewis 68 What is sin? Charles Gay REVIEW (BOOK) 80 Priestly people Bill McCarthy REVIEWS (FILM) 84 Precious much Alice Williams 86 Virtual virtues, real crimes Verity Guiton REVIEW (TELEVISION) 90 Getting the horrors Juliette Hughes J ANUARY –MARCH 2010 CHA M PAGNAT 1 Champagnat: An International Marist Journal of Education and Charism aims to present information on research, educational practice and policy-making in the field of Marist Schools Australia Melbourne and other associated areas in a format that is accessible to both researcher and practitioner, within and beyond the international Marist network. Qualitative and quantitative data, case studies, historical analyses and more theoretical, analytical and philosophical material are welcomed. The journal aims to assist in the human formation and exploration of ideas of those who feel inspired by a charism, its nature and purpose. In this context, charism is seen as a gift to an individual, in our case Marcellin Champagnat, who in turn inspires a movement of people, often internationally, across generations. Such an educational charism encourages people to gather, to share faith, to explore meaning, to display generosity of spirit and to propose a way forward for education, particularly of the less advantaged. Consequently, this Journal endeavours to discuss the relationship between charism more generally, and education. Publisher John McMahon fms Paul Herrick; Juliette Hughes; Editor John McMahon fms Lucille Hughes; Madeleine Laming; Assistant editor Juliette Hughes Jenny Burke. Creative designer Lucille Hughes Champagnat: An International Marist Subscriptions Officer Jenny Burke Journal of Education and Charism, Contributing editor ISSN 1448-9821, is published four New Zealand: Alan Parker times a year by Marist Schools Australia Melbourne, 7 Tuscany Rise Editorial Board Dr Desmond Templestowe VIC 3106. Connelly, Melbourne; Dr Richard (PO Box 753)Ph: (03) 9846 1633; Cotter, University of Melbourne; Fax: (03) 9846 5354. Emeritus Professor Joseph Donders, Email: [email protected] Washington DC, USA; Brendan Geary Responsibility for editorial content is fms, Ushaw College, Durham, UK; accepted by John McMahon fms Michael Green fms, St Augustine’s 7 Tuscany Rise Templestowe VIC 3106 College, Cairns; James Jolley fms, Printed by Doran Printing, Geneva, Switzerland; Dr Helga 46 Industrial Drive, Neidhart, Australian Catholic Braeside VIC 3195 University; Dr Bernadette O’Keeffe, © Marist Schools Australia Melbourne 2010 Von Hügel Institute, Cambridge; Unsolicited manuscripts are Dr Paddy Walsh, University of London. welcomed and will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed Management Committee envelope. Requests for permission to Chairperson: John McMahon fms. reprint material from the journal should Desmond Connelly; Berise Heasly; be addressed in writing to the Editor. 2 CHA M PAGNAT JANUARY –MARCH 2010 an EDITO R’S this & that of ‘secular Sunday’, proposing a suggested rise in atheism. These conflicting paradigms highlight the importance of theme of this edition of our Journal: signs of the times. How do we read such signs and, more profoundly, what is our contemporary reality? During the 1960s, Pope John XXIII recognised the great changes the world was undergoing at that time. He could see these transfor- Beginnings mations bringing with them great technological advantages, as well as the potential for a great loss of a sense of the spiritual. These were among the reasons that led him to convoke the Second Vatican Council1: he Apollo image of Earth In the face of this twofold spectacle depicted on the cover of – a world which reveals a grave state this, the first edition of of spiritual need and the Church of our Journal for 2010, is surely Christ, still so vibrant with vitality Tstunning. It reminds Christians of – we, from the time we ascended the absolute beauty of God’s crea- to the supreme pontificate … felt tion and the wonderful advances at once the urgent duty to call in technology which enable us to our sons [and daughters] together be able to see this beautiful reality. in order to enable the Church to Pertinent to this image also, is its contribute more effectively to the focus on Africa, the birthplace of solution of the problems of the humankind, with both its richness modern age. and its poverty. In his opening address to the While we Christians witness Council, in October 1962, he went the beauty of God’s creation, here further: in Melbourne at the beginning of It is one thing to have the sub- 2010, we are being informed of a stance of the ancient doctrine of the forthcoming seminar on the topic depositium fidei but quite another J ANUARY –MARCH 2010 CHA M PAGNAT 3 Beginnings to formulate and reclothe it – and Dr Constance Lewis appears it is this that must – if need be once more, this time with her with patience – be held of great study of Mary MacKillop and the importance, measuring everything foundation of the Sisters of St according to the forms and propor- Joseph of the Sacred Heart. In tions of a teaching of pre-eminently a year which may well see the pastoral character2. canonisation of their founder, the This call to ‘reclothe’ required Josephites have retained a strong an accurate reading of the signs and vibrant sense of their original of the times. We are told this, in charism. The story of the founding turn, led to the phrase ‘Signs of of the Josephite congregation is one the times’ becoming a mantra at with which many of our readers Vatican II3. may well be familiar. The Pope’s challenge is still The extract that we present here before us today with all its pastoral was originally published in 1989. responsibilities. How do we read In it we find several contemporary the signs of the times in 2010? references to the research being Irish theologian David Power con- undertaken at that time by Fr tends this involves a twofold task:4 Paul Gardiner SJ. His book Mary First is to read the world in such MacKillop was published five years a way as to know its ambitions, its later in 1994: it is the definitive desires, its capacities for good, as biography that became a bestseller well as its flaws and indeed deeply read by many of us. ingrained sin. Reading Dr Lewis’ article we Second is to be observant of the are again impressed with the rigour signs of the times in the sense that and originality of her research and Jesus gave this expression, that is, to the meticulous attention she pays see in the world the signs of God’s to the working of the Josephite gracious presence, of God’s advent, charism in 1989. of God’s benevolent love, in the It is a long article, well worth midst of human distress. savouring at leisure. The chroni- cle of her difficulties with hostile … the secular society bishops at times reads as vividly as in which we live has a a thriller. great deal to tell us if we In 15,000 words Constance Lewis has managed to give life, can hear. scholarly research and socio-his- 4 CHA M PAGNAT JANUARY –MARCH 2010 John McMahon torical context to Mary MacKillop How do we read the signs and her congregation. of the times in 2010? How a charism can hold its essential character while still being reviewer for this issue, presenting a flexible enough to adapt to the profound and perceptive analysis of signs that the times give us is Maryanne Confoy’s splendid book Desmond Connelly’s concern in Religious Life and Priesthood. Part ‘Song without words: reflections on of the Paulist Press’ Rediscovering charism’. We lead with this article Vatican II series, her book revisits because it crystallises our theme: key document and is a reminder Desmond’s cogent and profound of the optimism and openness of observations can be applied to those times. One of his most tell- every other article in this issue ing comments comes at the end of the Journal. His treatment of of his review as he notes that the concept of charism is deeply not everyone will be pleased by interesting as it examines the Maryanne’s approach, noting that effect of secular as well as religious she ‘is critical of fearful Catholics heroes: Gandhi, John F. Kennedy who have a vigilante mentality’. and Aung San Suu Kyi come under In this issue our media reviews are his scrutiny and the comparisons of a particular relevance to urgent are enlightening. contemporary issues, reminding us Bearing all this in mind, Charles that the secular society in which Gay’s article ‘What is sin?’ confronts we live has a great deal to tell us us with the need for discernment if we can hear.