Pilgrimage with Pio
Norbertine 50th
Over 300 Perth faithful travel out to Marian shrines to ask the saint who knows what suffering is to pray for the world and boost their own faith. Page 3
An enduring story of pioneering priests' courage in coming out to Australian desert to evangelise and sustain the local faithful. Page 5 i
THE RECORD
"Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ." -BISHOP MATTHEW GIBNEY 1874
THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD.
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday May 13 2009
Pope sends Archbishop a blessing
The reality of the pews A breakdown of the last national Census parish by parish reveals a gaping chasm between numbers of people who identify themselves as Catholics and those who actually darken the doors of a church more than twice a year. Anthony Barich discusses with several Perth priests how to reach out to the unchurched Catholics out there and how to nurture those who do Vista 1-3 attend.
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Personal message for silver jubilee delivers note of papal appreciation. ARCHBISHOP Barry Hickey had only a quiet celebration of the 25th Anniversary of his ordination as a bishop on May 1, but it did not escape the attention of Pope Benedict who sent a personally signed greeting and photo. Translated from the Latin, the greeting was: "To Our Venerable Brother Barry James Hickey, Metropolitan Archbishop of Perth. "We remember you in our prayers as you celebrate the silver jubilee of your Episcopal ordination. We bring to mind your many apostolic efforts in the diocese of Geraldton and in the Metropolitan Church of Perth, and how you have contributed to the Australian Bishops Conference, mindful of your fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church. "Therefore, with appreciation of your work for the Church, We freely impart Our Apostolic Blessing." Given at the Vatican City on the sixth day of April in the year 2009. A larger celebration incorporating the Archbishop's 25 years as a bishop and 50 years as a priest will be held later in the year "when the Cathedral is opened" "I cannot give a date for the completion of the Cathedral, he told the clergy in his most recent letter to them, "but I will know more on July 1 when the builder will tell me when he can give me the key."
Papal medal goes toll Perth clergy 50 years of service recognised. POPE Benedict has bestowed the Papal Cross "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" (for the Church and the Pontiff) on 11 seasoned priests of the Archdiocese. They are Mgr Peter McCrann and Frs Henry Byrne, Julian Carrasco, Michael Casey, Thomas Gaine, Brian Harris, Anton Hesse, Eugene McGrath, John O'Reilly, Maurice Toop and Finbarr Walsh. In his latest Ad Clerum (letter to the clergy), Archbishop Barry Hickey offered his congratulations to each of them for an honour "well deserved". He said the awards would be conferred at the clergy gathering for the opening of the Year of the Priest on June 18 at St Charles Seminary.
HAS NOIRE DAME USA CAUGHT ITS
MOBY DICK?
The US-based University of Notre Dame craved prestige
so much it abandoned any concept of what it means to be a Catholic University; its honouring of President Obama is redolent of Melville's classic tale, writes one of its own.
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Contents The Parish - Pages 2-5, 7 Editorial - Page 8 Kids Bitz - Page 9 Perspectives - Pages 12-13 Communion of Saints Books - Page 20
YOUTH IN FOR RETREAT Archbishop Barry Hickey has chosen priests from an order known for their inspired preaching to help Perth youth build on the passion generated by World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.
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