THE RECORD ‘Teachers’ vital duty’ The Parish. The Nation. The World.
Perth, Western Australia � $2
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper - Wednesday November 14, 2007
www.therecord.com.au
Archbishop urges teachers, catechists, to lay solid foundations for young
Gerry steps into server’s shoes
Warns against “rising tide of secularism”, urges teachers and catechists to protect our youth.
■ By Sylvia Defendi
W
■ By Anthony Barich
hen long-serving acolyte Felix Notarangelo, of St Francis Xavier’s Church in East Perth, passed away after over 30 years of service, the small parish felt a loss that was only filled by its youngest parishioner. Hector Gerard (Gerry) Divinagracia, was only seven years old when he took a great interest in what he describes as “uncle Felix’s job.” He would often help Felix and his wife Maria with many odd jobs to help keep the small church looking tidy throughout the week. But it was not until Felix died at the end of last year that Gerry said he felt a calling to serve his parish. Now eight years old, Gerry describes his simple but foundational role within the parish community as one of service to the king of kings. Although his service only spans a few years, he is admired by parishioners for his generous nature and commitment to his job. Recalling that same service, which her husband gave until his death, Mrs Notarangelo said Felix would only be too happy to know that Gerry had taken over. “Felix and I had been parishioners for almost 50 years, when he passed away. It brings me such joy to see Gerry doing his best to see that the work Felix put into this church never fades,” she said.
Archbishop Barry Hickey has identified key priorities for Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Perth. Addressing teachers, catechists and youth workers at the Catholic Pastoral Centre on November 3, the Archbishop said RE teachers must be practising Catholics; need ongoing formation, training and an informed understanding of catechesis and evangelisation; he also stressed the systematic use of Religious Education textbooks. Linking these points with John Paul II’s New Evangelisation, the Archbishop said he was pleased that these foundational areas were already present in the Archdiocese, but urged educators to be conscious of the “rising tide of secularism that threatens both societal and personal wellbeing”. To combat this, he said, the vocation and catechetical efforts of teachers must always be Christo-centric. So that young people are not lost to a Catholic culture, Archbishop Hickey implored that “we must ensure that they have solid, not shallow foundations” that need to be strengthened through Catholic education. “Although there are many challenges, especially external ones, we must always work in response to these challenges, working for the mission of the Church,” the Archbishop said. He emphasised the need to “commit new energies and vigor in proclaiming Christ to all people”, and said that the rising tide against Christianity makes this task all the more urgent.
PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFENDI
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Sisters reach out to the unloved
But of course, the problem won’t happen here n By Victor Gaetan
ROME (CNS) - With her hair dyed an unnatural shade of red and a thin green shawl draped over her, Carmelite Sister Begona Arroya stands out among nuns in a convent overlooking St Peter’s Square. But when she is ministering in southern Spain to prostitutes from all over the world, she blends right in. “I dress so I won’t intimidate the women I need to reach,” said Sister Begona, 41, with a smile. “I have no office, just a mobile phone and a car.” Good Shepherd Sister Magdalena Barsan Bilibok, 28, of Romania is studying in Italy. She participates in a street outreach group in Rome that befriends exploited women. “There are places in Rome where men in cars come to buy sex and there are many, many women, all from foreign countries, lined up to go with them,” said Sister Magdalena. “Of course, pimps are behind almost all the girls on the streets. “It is so terrible. The girls get in the car, and when they come back, most look completely gone, like Continued - Page 12
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HER LOVE WILL TRIUMPH
The new Chapel of the Innocents at Yangebup’s Mater Christi parish, erected through the generosity of so many, is close to completion and will be dedicated on November 18. Despite the tragedy of her death, Sofia Rodrigues-Urrutia Shu has Page 9 united thousands.
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