W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A’ S A WA R D - W I N N I N G C AT H O L I C N E W S P A P E R S I N C E 1 8 7 4
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Deacon with a guitar He’s young, hip, sings like a rock star and is in love with God - PAGES 10-11
Notre Dame emphasises the intangibles Vice Chancellor sets out vision of a unique kind of education
Taste, style, dance cards at the Chivalry Ball
Over 1,500 prospective students attended The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus for a day of presentations, activities and interactive workshops on its annual Open Day, on 22 August 2010. The large turnout appeared to express a solid interest in the distinctive university and what it has to offer among those shopping for a tertiary education commencing in 2011. Hosting 13 tours, 25 information sessions, seven laboratories, seven forums and 11 interactivity sessions from its growing number of Schools, the Open Day showcased the unique culture of Notre Dame. In a forum addressing the question: ‘Why Notre Dame?’, Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, spoke about the University’s unique approach to its student body and the emphasis placed on the importance of their current and future role as members of the wider community.
Perth couples twirl gracefully around the dance floor at the Chivalry Ball held at St Kieran’s parish hall in Osborne Park on 14 August. The event, now in its second year, includes dance cards and emphasises the practise of courtesy and refined manners. It offers a refreshing avenue for the young (16-35) men and women seeking to experience chivalry and be inspired to live chastity. White dresses express purity and help inspire gentlemanly behaviour and conduct to bring a certain expression of dignity to occasion. For full story and more photos, see Page 6. PHOTO: COURTERSY CHIVALRY BALL.
Prospective students mingle with staff at Notre Dame and consider the options at Notre Dame’s highly successful Open Day on 22 August. PHOTO: UNDA
“Our approach at Notre Dame is to engage each student through a wider education which caters to the growth of the whole person,” said Professor Hammond. “Students have a broad range of training options and extra-curricular activities to encourage them to engage in life on campus, including core curriculum training, double degrees, study abroad, student life, pastoral care, volunteering, sports and many other immersive activities.” Professor Hammond emphasised the University’s goal to produce quality students who would not only contribute professionally in society but would also become valuable citizens of their communities. “We want our students to get jobs when they finish and to become valuable contributors to the economic health of society. But we want more for them and from them,” said Professor Hammond. “We want them to be able to contribute to society in ways that probably can’t be quantified in purely economic or numeric terms. I believe this feature is what distinguishes us here at Notre Dame.”
She’s young, beautiful and set to become a Saint Focolare members in Perth are set to celebrate an historic moment. They’d like everyone to join them. BY TESS LEE
Chiara Badano, an Italian who died of bone cancer just before her 19th birthday. She will be beatified on 25 September at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of PHOTO: CNS PHOTO/ Divine Love outside of Rome. COURTESY OF BEATIFICATION CAUSE OF CHIARA BADANO
We all know of many saints. Priests, Nuns, Missionaries, Martyrs, Visionaries – most of whom lived hundreds of years ago. Is it possible for a saint to be an ordinary normal person? Someone just like us? Yes! Chiara Badano was born in Sassello, Italy, in 1971 to parents who had all but given up hope for a child after 11 years of marriage. She was an only child and grew up in a loving family where she received a Christian education. Even as a child, she had a generous
spirit. Once, when she was four years old, Chiara’s mother suggested that Chiara might like to give some of her toys away to the poor children. Her immediate reaction was ‘No’. Chiara’s mother left, but only a few minutes later returned to the room after hearing some noise. She saw Chiara sorting her toys to find the ones to give away. Chiara explained ‘I can’t give broken toys to children who don’t have any’. At the age of nine, Chiara and her parents met the Focolare movement at a large family gathering in Rome. This was a major step in the life of the family that now followed the Focolare ideal of unity. Chiara became a Gen (the second generation of the Focolare movement) and found a new relationship with God. Chiara also began corresponding with Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare Movement. Not long after her twelfth birthday, Chiara Badano wrote, ‘I have dis-
covered that Jesus Forsaken (when on the cross He cried out – “my God, my God why have you forsaken me”) is the key to unity with God. I want to choose him as my spouse and get ready for when he comes – to prefer him. I have understood that I can find him in those who are far from God, ... and I have to love him in a very special way’ At the age of 12, Chiara had made the radical decision to love Jesus in all the difficulties that would arise in her life. Chiara had many friends and interests. She loved music, swimming, tennis and hiking. She was also involved in her parish community. Like many teenagers, she sometimes argued with her parents, like over the time of curfew, but these issues were resolved through discussion and compromises on both sides. At the age of 17, a painful shoulder was found to be bone cancer – the prognosis Please turn to Page 4