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3342. PERTH, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1968.
. (Registered at the (3.P.O.. Perth for transmission by post as a Newspaper.)
Price 8c.
Need For Vocations Now Urgent r
THERE is a dire shortage of vocations throughout the world, this is reflected in Western Australia by numbers at present training for the priesthood or the religious life, particularly that of Sisters for various I communities. Sunday, April 28, is the commencement of Vocation Week and during it there will be special emphasis laid on vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. This is no new crisis in the Church, it has existed from the beginning. Each age brings its peculiar emphasis to it. Ours could be the explosive increase in the means of communication and the problem of the Church to keep up with the world in its spirit of service. To communicate Christ's message to ever-increasing populations. Men and women aided by modern techniques are the essentials if this Christ-l ike service is to be rendered to our community and the world at large. THERE ARE THREE WAYS OF FILLING OUR LIVES — WITH AN OCCUPATION, A PROFESSION, OR A VOCATION. An occupation is something we "do," perhaps because we can think of no better way of filling in time. A profession is what we are paid to do. A vocation is what we are called to do. And it is at this point, for the happy ones, that occupation. profession and vocation all meet, and life becomes full of meaning. God is calling people all the time. The trouble is not that He does not do so, but that so often we do not hear, We are too concerned with an occupation or profession to find out if we have a vocation, too. Of course, we all have a common vocation; we are 'called to be saints' (11°111: i.7.). In other words, we are Christ's disciples. But out of His disciples Christ chose twelve to be especially near Him. They were His • instruments in the word, bound to 11411 by His special love. He formed them into a into all the body, led by Peter, to go world making more disciples for Him. Christ's Church needs men and women today as priests„ Brothers and Sisters. Although it is estiMated that there are 485 million Catholics today, this is still only a Minority of Toughly 17 the world's population. per cent. The task is threefold. First of all, tte priest looks God-ward, in his Offering of Mass, then Ulsn. man-ward in vu-nsing the Eucharistic nourishtaent to God's people. From this develops the ,41s Modern care of God's People, disciples and the bringirlg in of new ones.
Urgency T.0 highlight the urgency of more lests, ti and Sisters, we look Brothers at a ated world few figures. The est.1population is 2,886 mil44 C souls. If we deduct 485 million ,atholies, ,1.!()11 still we are left with 2,401 milto be hurch, brought into the and the [ number grows by ilousands (at least) a day. 14 1966 t;ere were(the last figure available), ,lerefore 351,624 priests. There is try roughly one priest for 1,382 Catholics.
The "haves- and "have-nots" still exist, even in Christ's Church. Thus Europe has a priest for every 872 Catholics; Africa, one for 1,603. In Asia, the ratio is one for 1,698, and in America, one for every 2,114 Catholics. And, of course, there are still the unevangelised majority, for whom we do not seem to have provided at all, yet.
Call To All
SANDRA TURNER (Santa Maria), DIANA DELCACQUA (St. Mary's, Leederville), and GERALDINE WALSH ( Loreto, Claremont), will be the student representatives of the Archdiocese of Perth at the national conference of Young Christian Students at Armidale, New South Wales, in May. Our photographer caught t hem with what looks like a heavy agenda. They will be accompanied by Father P. Ahern, Y.C.S. chaplain to the Archdiocese.
Honour For Airman OFFICER proficiency. He introW ARRANT William Bernard duced an inspection pro-
INVEST SAFELY WITH PB.S.
Smith, a past pupil of cedure that was directly Well, the need is there. God is the Sisters of Mercy and responsible for detectsafer for you in that all funds are invested calling men and women, boys and the Christian Brothers ing a critical defect in frayed conform of the received Kalgoorlie, in in first mortgages on selected homes — girls, from all walks of life, to serve trol cables in Vampires both Shares and Deposits are Authorised Him as priests, as Brothers and as the M.B.E. in a ceremony last week in Mel- throughout the Service. Sisters. Perhaps He is calling you, bourne. Trustee Investments. By personal example he but you have not yet heard Him. inspired the rectification Warrant Officer Smith teams and worked exWhy not? Because you are not is the eldest son of Mr. tremely long hours over listening. and Mrs. William Smith, extended period There is no life so well spent as formerly of Maritana an DEPOSIT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS 4i°, 0 p.a. without thought of his the life which belongs to God in Street, Kalgoorlie. now with all the benefits and daily facilities of a own comfort or family every part. Nor is there any life so of Dunedin Street, Mt. obligations. During the normal savings account. happy, for here occupation, profes- Hawthorn. period the unit consion and vocation meet in one. Life His citation read: tinued to record a rebecomes a whole, and everything is Warrant Officer Smith markably high safety SHORT TERM DEPOSITS . . . 51°„ p.a. interwoven into the pattern of serv- displayed o u t standing record which reflects the 12 months' notice 54%, three months' notice 5° ing God. qualities of leadership, high standard set and one month's notice 41%. Interest paid twice If you have the slightest hint., the self-discipline, devotion maintained by Warrant yearly. merest suspicion that God is calling to duty and technical Officer Smith. you to serve Him in this special way, FIXED TERM DEPOSITS . . . 6% p.a. then take the first step to test your for 2, 3, 4 or 5 year periods. Interest paid vocation. Find your parish priest t wice yearly in April and October. and say, "Father, I think I have a vocation." He will take you on from there. If you don't, then you will INVESTING SHARES . . . . . 9% p.a. never be happy. There will always Fully paid $50 each, or contributing with be, in the background, those saddest monthly payments. Interest (5%) and Bonuses of words in the English language, that answering Your 0 Jesus, Divine Shep(1967-4%) credited annually over an 8 year "What might have been." herd of souls, Who call, many young men period. Shares withdrawable at any time on called the Apostles to may prolong here Your one month's notice. become fishers of men, mission, edify Your now call the ardent Body, Mystical the and generous hearts of A special word for parents. Most our youth to make Church, and become 11111 vocations are heard and accepted in them Your followers "the salt of the earth Please send me your free booklet children from good Catholic homes. and the light of the Let and ministers. "Savings and Investments" Some children hear the call of God world." (Matt. 5:13). them share Your thirst for that universal re- Extend, 0 Lord, Your INAME at a very early age, and those pardemption for which loving call to many ents who try to discourage or stifle pure and generousYou daily renew Your these vocations bear a very heavy ADDRESS hearted the upon AlSacrifice young women, load on their consciences. If your that they may grow in tar. 0 Lord Jesus, "alchild returns from school one day their desire for evanways living to make inand says, "I want to be a priest," or gelical perfection and us" tercession for "I want to be a Sister like Sister ( Heb. 7:25), extend may dedicate themselvSo-and-so," this is the moment to es to the service of the our horizons to the engo down on your knees and thank tire world, where so Church and their neigh- I 25 Barrack Street, Perth. Telephone: 23 2305 many brethren make bours who so desperGod that your home has been espeEstablished 1862. - Assets exceed $30 million. ately need such assistsilent supplication for cially chosen by God to provide Him AMA ance and the light of truth and charity. with one of His chosen—a priest, a ME NI IN NI 1101 III ES III Amen. the warmth of love, so Brother, or a Sister for His Church
Here are 4 secure and profitable forms of investment
Prayer Aimed At Young
Parents
No al um IN No al NI El au
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Perth Building Society
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