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
the Parish. the Nation. the World.
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - 2 June 2010
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Notre Dame The Buddhist who found Christ theologians declare fidelity UNDA marks the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s key document for Catholic universities BY ANTHONY BARICH THE four resident theologians at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney campus made a profession of faith and swore an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church on 20 May. Mercy Sister Moira Debono of the Alma, Michigan congregation, Canadian Dr John Lamont who completed Philosophy of Religion at Oxford University, Scripture scholar Peter Holmes and Paul Morrissey, who coordinates the Master of Arts Theological Studies (MATS) at UNDA, made the declarations during a Mass that Cardinal George Pell celebrated at St Benedict Church, Broadway.
Why I Became Catholic Trang Quach
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PHOTO: COURTESY UNDA
The Mass was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae (“from the heart of the Church”), which urged all theologians at Catholic universities to take such a pledge. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, issued in 1990, aimed to define and refine the Catholicism of Catholic institutions of higher education, and taught that “the education of students is to combine academic and professional development with formation in moral and
BY BRIDGET SPINKS A NEW documentary on the life of Archbishop Fulton J Sheen, who has been hailed as "John the Baptist of the 21st century," will be previewed in Perth on 24 June as part of the annual Hour for Sheen Concert. As well as the documentary preview, the evening in Sheen's honour will include performances by soprano Yann Kee; pianist John Meyer and poet and raconteur June Glen, as well as the newly formed St Joseph's Chamber Choir from Subiaco directed by Trinity College Director of Music, Dr Robert Braham.
Trang Quach, above, tells The Record's Debbie Warrier why she decided to become a Catholic. For her, the journey was long, partly because of the difficulty of telling her devout Buddhist family that she wanted to become a Catholic. However, she says, she always felt that someone was watching over her. PHOTO: DEBBIE WARRIER
with Debbie Warrier
Sister Moira Debono and Mr Paul Morrissey, two of the four theologians who marked Ex Corde Ecclesia’s 20th anniversary together with students at UNDA’s Sydney campus last week.
Concert to recall the great Communicator
come from a Buddhist family and was into ancestral worship. So as well as praying to Buddha in the temple, we worshipped our grandparents and great grandparents by making an annual offering to them on the anniversary of their deaths as a way of remembering them. Afterwards, the whole extended family gathers for a meal. My mother was familiar with Catholicism because she was from a village in Vietnam where everyone was Catholic except for her family. As a child, I remember going with my friends to their church despite not really understanding what was going on. I migrated to Australia in 1984 and married in 2001. My husband is Catholic. Initially, this was an issue for my parents but they came to accept it. I mainly decided to become Catholic because of my family. I wanted to enquire about the religion to help my kids under-
stand their faith. However, as I went along the RCIA journey I decided I liked to pray to God and Jesus. Through prayer, I felt close to them. I also began asking Mary to help me through the hard times of being a mother to three young children. It fitted with where I was going and seemed quite natural. When I first decided to convert, I apologised to Buddha and my ancestors by praying, “I am sorry but I am thinking of becoming Catholic.” I felt like what I was about to do was a betrayal. I found that really hard and that is why it took me so long. I spoke to a priest and he explained that my current belief was not conflicting because I could still respect Buddha and my ancestors, just not worship them like gods. I feel that my spirituality is growing instead of completely forgetting what I was brought up to do. It was a breakthrough when I found that out. I no longer feel the guilt. Telling my parents I wanted to convert was stressful as we were such strong Buddhists. It was something that I wanted to do but I didn’t want to upset them. I decided to ask their permission. My mother said, “It is up to you.” I wanted to confront my father personally but it was easier to have mum tell him. In the end I thought, “I can’t
do this. I have to talk to him.” I was so glad that I did. He didn’t say anything but I knew how he felt. He wishes that I didn’t convert but he accepted it. My husband was worried as well because he didn’t want his good relationship with my father to change and it hasn’t. I appreciate dad understanding and from that I realised how much he loves and respects me. Throughout my life I have always thought that there was Someone higher watching over me. I always believed there was a God. When life worked out well unexpectedly I would think Someone is taking care of me and I couldn’t plan it any better. I was baptised this year at the Easter Vigil Mass. It was beautiful as it is a very special time of the year. I was really glad my kids were there to witness the occasion and didn’t fall asleep. They went right through to the celebration afterwards over at the parish centre. On my baptism candle I had inscribed as a reminder for me, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit” [John 15:5]. I believe if you try to do good in your life, have strong faith and pray, then things will work out for you eventually. All your hopes and dreams can come to fruition. Do you have a story? You can contact Debbie at: dwarrier75@gmail.com
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Archbishop Fulton Sheen, above, in an undated photo. Sheen Society founders Martin and Daniel Tobin, PHOTOS: TOP: CNS; BELOW: B SPINKS below.
The Hour for Sheen Concert is organised by the Perth-based Fulton J Sheen Society co-founded 10 years ago by father and son duo, Daniel and Martin Tobin. The two were joined by Yolanda Nardizzi who subsequently became a founding member. Fulton Sheen was Bishop of New York from 1951 to 1965. He started preaching by starring in a television series Life is Worth Living which aired on Tuesdays at 8pm Please turn to Vista 4
SERVITE FINDS A SIGN
KALAMUNDA LOVES FR RAJ
RUBY WIVES
GOD AND CATHOLIC TENNIS
College uncovers missing link to its past
Parish, school honour priest in Year for Priests
Perth women team up for successful marriages push
Priest reflects on life as a missionary in Africa, and the suburbs of Perth
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