Inspired by Vatican II, viewed with suspicion by some. Who, and what, are the ......
NEW MOVEMENTS of the Catholic Church?
SPECIAL REPORT : PAGES 11-14
THURSDAY JANUARY 13, 2005
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Schools: Curriculum awards to Catholic schools students Page 2
Faiths join: Premier hosts prayer for tsunami victims Page 5
High Note: Four voices equals Quartessence Page 4
'Life comes first' Defending life is State’s first task: Pope Pope John Paul II has told representatives of governments from all over the world that the “primary task” of government is to defend human life from the instant of conception onwards. The Pope’s highlighting of the defence of human life came in a full analysis of the international situation during his traditional new-year meeting with ambassadors of the countries that have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. The envoys, from 174 countries, were joined by representatives of the European Union, Russia, the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and the Order of Malta. The Pope’s annual address to diplomatic representatives traditionally allows the pontiff the opportunity to address the key challenges facing the world. Food, peace and freedom are the three other urgent challenges now facing humanity, according to John Paul II. In his long address delivered in French, the Holy Father mentioned first of all "the challenge of life … the first gift which God has given us," whose safeguarding and promotion is the "primary task" of the state. "The challenge to life has grown in scale and urgency in recent years," he said. "It has involved particularly the beginning of human life, when human beings are at Continued on page 5
New music to premiere The combined sounds of organ, trumpet and didgeridoo will resound from St Thomas's Catholic Church in Claremont this February when a new work by Perth composer James Ledger is premiered. St Thomas's is now proud owner of an original pipe organ - the largest unaltered J.E. Dodd organ and the only one in Perth with a traditional pneumatic action. Besides being used for church services, the organ's magnificent tones will feature in musical concerts. Father Brian O'Loughlin said the church bought the organ and commissioned the new work to commemorate the centenary of the Catholic church in the area. "We also wanted to acknowledge the Aboriginal spirituality that was here before we came," Fr O'Loughlin said. He said the new work would have as its theme "journeying and belonging" and would draw inspiration from the sea and pounding waves of local beaches. Since August 2003,when it was blessed by Archbishop Hickey, the organ has accompanied choir and
Father Brian O'Loughlin of St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Claremont, with the JE Dodd organ, which will be used for a special Tsunami Benefit concert in late January (see story at right). A new work by Perth composer James Ledger, will also be premiered on the organ in a February concert. Photo: courtesy POST Newspapers Perth, Western Australia
God and the tsunamis
INDEX
The scale of the Boxing Day disasters has re-prompted many people to reflect on the problem of suffering, God, and First World affluence.
- Pages 11 - 14 The Movements - Page 5 New Melkite church - Page 15 Classifieds - Page 2 WA news - Page 16 The Last Word
Pages 7-10
chamber orchestral recitals. The organ, built in 1912 by renowned organ maker J.E. Dodd, was bought from the Epworth Uniting Church in Adelaide when it closed. It arrived by rail in January 2003 in a container - "like an enormous meccano set and jigsaw", said Fr O'Loughlin - and was assembled by organ builder Patrick Elms, of Albany. "The organ is unique in that it is still in its original working order and has not been electronically modified," Father O' Loughlin said. "It works on a tubular pneumatic and tracker system, whereby long pieces of wood connected to hooks open and shut the valves." Large bellows within the organ draw in air and pump it to the valves. The imposing instrument has 1300 wooden and metal pipes that tower to 7m high and are housed in a 4sq.m American cedar cabinet at the front of the church. Arts WA has contributed partial funding for the new work, which will be performed on February 25 and 26. - courtesy POST newspapers
Tsunami Relief Concert Fr O'Loughlin said the organ could be heard at all Masses, and the Caritas Appeal Benefit Concert for Tsunami Relief to be held on Saturday January 29 at 8pm. There will be three guest organists: Margaret Henshaw, Martin Rein and Hudson Smith. Works by Sibelius, Bach, and other well known composers will be on the program, which will also include choral performances and other intrumentalists. Entry will be by donation at the door. The suggested donation is $20 and $15 concession. Children will be admitted free. The premiere Concert for the commissioned work will also be at St Thomas’s on February 25 and 26 at 8pm.
INSIDE: where you can donate - Pages 8-9