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“When we lock up asylum seekers we are locking up our brothers and sisters”
We are all one family By Robert Hiini WHEN we lock up asylum seekers we are locking up our brothers and sisters, Perth’s vicar for migrants said at a special mass for Migrant and Refugee Sunday. The principal mass celebrant, Fr Blasco Fonseca, extensively cited the official message of Bishop Gerard Hanna, the Australian bishops’ delegate for migrants and refugees, in a homily delivered to several hundred people at St Joachim’s Church in Victoria Park. Describing the occasion as a celebration of diversity and cultural richness, Fr Fonseca said Australia’s policies towards refugees were inconsistent. Where for some there are open borders, for others the door is closed, he said. “The theme of One Human Family invites us to reflect on our sense of unity with others who are coming here. “More and more of this migration has been taking place and will be taking place because of globalisation.” In citing Bishop Hanna, Fr Fonseca noted the free flow of migration from New Zealand and of skilled migrants contrasted with a policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. “There is a category for skilled migrants and tourists but there is [another] category of people – those who are affected by war, by persecution, by violence, by trafficking”, Fr Fonseca said. “Those people who have tried to come here as asylum seekers have been put in mandatory detention.” Fr Fonseca noted the federal government’s policy to transfer boat people to Malaysia – a move halted, if only temporarily, by a challenge in the High Court – and said the most important thing for Catholics was to reflect on the Christian response to migrants and refugees. Citing Pope Benedict XVI, Fr Fonseca said: “There is not only a link but a profound link between all human beings. Being part of one human family means taking responsibility for those who are in trouble and those who are suffering.” Editorial - Page 16 Continued on Page 2
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Our Lady’s birthday celebrated with prayer CATHOLICS throughout Western Australia are preparing for Our Lady’s birthday by committing themselves to praying the rosary. The rosary, given to Our Lady for her intentions, is prayed over a 48-hour period from 6pm, Monday, 5 September to 6pm, Wednesday, 7 September. This year for the first time Victorians will join in this endeavour, with the Legion of Mary taking on the task of encouraging parishes to undertake this wonderful gift. To ensure all hours are covered, Catholics are urged to fill in the roster published on Page 2 with their designated time and forward it to The Legion of Mary, so the names of individuals, parishes and schools can be placed on a scroll. The rosary can be prayed anywhere, anytime, during the 48 hours, privately or with a group.
Gerry (Hector) Divinagracia, 12, with Sr Marie Bernard and Sr Maxiliane Marie during the offertory.
PHOTO: R HIINI
The Legion of Mary invites all Catholic schools to take part. “How pleased would Our Blessed Mother be to see her little ones praying her prayer,” the legion said in a statement. “Their prayer is so powerful.” Both Bishop Donald Sproxton, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, and Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury have commended and supported the bouquet, wishing it every success and blessing. Scrolls with the names of individuals, parishes, schools and groups that have said the rosary during this period will be taken up in a procession during the midday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 8 September. A rosary will be prayed beforehand, commencing 11.30am. Those interested in taking part are asked to put their details on the roster and forward it to The Legion of Mary at perthcomitium@ bigpond.com, or fax: 9328 2782 by 6pm on Friday, 7 September.
First Malaysian Norbertine a 900-year milestone By Robert Hiini BROTHER Christopher’s profession in the Norbertine Order on 28 August was the stuff dreams are made of, literally. St Joseph’s Priory Church in Queens Park was full to overflowing as Christopher Jacob Lim, 40, professed solemn vows before his fellow Norbertines; the culmination of a much earlier inkling. He is the first Malaysian to be professed in the order in its 900year history. Six years ago, he was pursuing a lifelong desire to become a Franciscan when he was visited by a series of dreams. “I’m a person who is very logical and I don’t usually go in for
dreams,” Br Christopher said. “I’m not a person who’s into superstition … but what drew me was this desire for a monastic and contemplative life,” he said. In those dreams, his Franciscan superiors and formators kept taking him to the abbey at Premontre – the place where St Norbert founded the Premonstratensian (Norbertine) Order in 1120. “It was as if they were passing me on to the Premonstratensians,” he said, commending the way real-life Franciscan formators prepared him for a life of prayer. A native of Penang, Malaysia, Br Christopher had never heard of the Norbertines of Queens Park when he came across their website.
Br Christopher Lim standing outside his home at St Joseph’s Priory. PHOTO: R HIINI
Br Christopher first visited the Norbertine’s in Queens Park back in 2005 for a three-month tryout.
He returned on 15 June 2006 to enter the Norbertine’s novitiate and has been living in the com-
munity ever since. His calm and friendly demeanour belies a wide array of life experiences and interests. Br Christopher has worked as a cleric in a stock trading and brokerage firm as well as a merchant bank. He’s looked after wards from broken homes in Penang and has ministered to HIV-AIDS patients in Thailand. Br Christopher loves to sew and to cook – something he attributes to his grandmothers – and is a keen promoter and custodian of Peranakan Chinese culture which was incorporated into his profession ceremony. As the first-born son (he has two younger sisters), Brother Continued on Page 6