KNEEL WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II IN HONDA
PRAYER
JULY General: That all those who enjoy a period of vacation at this time of year may use this time to rediscover in God their inward harmony and open themselves to the love of others.
Brian Gardner’s
HONDA NORTH
Missionary:That in young Churches the laity may receive more attention and be turned to greater account in evangelisation.
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Christian Brothers opt for a new direction The “single most significant announcement in the life of the Christian Brothers since they came to Oceania over a century ago.”
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he deputy leader of the Christian Brothers Holy Spirit Province which covers Western and South Australia said last week’s announcement by world Christian Brothers’ head of the withdrawal of Christian Brothers from schools was part of a three to four year process of handing the leadership of the schools back to the lay people nationwide. Br Dean McGlaughlin told The Record “The Christian Brothers strive to do what other people can not. Now we are confident the lay people we have in the education system are very capable of continuing on with it, it is time to expand into new areas.” He said the laity’s familiarity with the Edmund Rice story would allow the spirit and character of the schools to continue. He said the withdrawal had been in part due to the aging Christian Brother population but also attributed the change in their structure to an expansion in missionary work. The Brothers hope to attract young people through such work who share similar ideals. He added that the Province of SA and WA would join with Christian Brothers
across the country in expanding their work in Asia where they feel there is the need. World Christian Brothers congregational leader Br Philip Pinto told the order's Western Australian head in a letter made public last week that the most urgent need for Brothers is no longer in schools, and the time has come to consider more missionary work among the poor in Asia. A copy of the text of the letter was made available on the Internet on Thursday July 8. In the letter to Holy Spirit Congregational Leader Br Kevin Ryan and the congregation’s Province and Region Leaders of Oceania, Br Pinto said: "The need that saw us setting up our schools in many of our current ministry sites is now being adequately met by others, in many instances by the State itself." The WA-based Edmund Rice Network News described the directive as the "single most significant announcement in the life of the Christian Brothers since they came to Oceania over a century ago". Br Pinto said the challenge for Brothers today is to focus their energies in "new and greater areas of need". Specifically he was referring to Asia. He said: "I now invite you, Kevin, with the other Province and Region Leaders in Oceania to consider opening a new mission site in Asia. It is to this, the Continued - Page 7
Questions without notice
Fancy dress arrives at St Vinnies boutique Yes that’s right, when you next visit the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Clarkson Retail Centre at Unit 7, 30 Ainsbury Parade don’t be surprised if you see a fairy or monster or a 60’s hippy walking out! As well as allowing locals to buy quality discounted second hand clothes, the Retail Centre is now offering a costume hire service. St Vinnies, WA’s largest charity has 43 Retail Centres across the state, but the costume hire initiative was developed by local volunteers in Clarkson. Volunteer Lynn Goodwin says they came up with the idea after some retirement village residents came in to buy costumes, but hesitated saying they would only ever wear them once. “We started hiring out clothing and items that could be used as fancy dress and now have sections in the shop dedicated to dress-ups, and once again we guarantee to make your dollar go fur-
ther” said Mrs Goodwin. “For a great price you can hire an item, wear it, then get a partial refund when you bring it back. It’s proved popular as there is no other service like this in the area,” she continued. The Centre has masks, feather boas, period fashions, clown and gothic accessories amongst the hire section. Formal outfits can also be borrowed and returned. Money raised though sales and hire at the Clarkson Retail Centre helps St Vinnies provide services to West Australians in need. The Centre is open 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am - 1pm on Saturday. The Centre phone number is 9304 4950. St Vinnies assists 150,000 people throughout the state through volunteer groups working in local communities and through ‘Special Works,’ which respond to particular community needs.
Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton fields questions from students at Our Lady of Grace School in North Beach after blessing the newly-completed fifth stage of the school’s capital works program recently. The main feature of the program was the renovation and extension of the school’s library. Blessing the new facilities, Bishop Sproxton prayed for students, teachers and parents who, he said, collaboratively help to promote sound education. Catholic Education Office director Ron Dullard said the commitment of the community provided the students with an excellent education that built on the efforts of the past to provide them with a bright future. Sr Helen Tereba, a former principal of the school and Provincial of The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, said the upgrading of the library would ensure the excellent learning opportunities provided to the students would Photo: Philip Bayne, CEO Media continue for future generations.
The Nature of Love What’s at stake in the same-sex marriage debate 4-page liftout - Pages 7-11