No. 2160:
PERTH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979
Vocations hostel Father Bryan ROSLING (pictured of left with Mr Joe BERRY) was busy at St Charles' Seminary Guildford, this week making arrangements for the new vocations hostel facility that will open there in January. The Padbury building during the day they will section of the seminary will continue at their work, be adapted to provide lodg- studies or other activities.. ings for up to seven men Three men are entering and two priests. the hostel in January for a orientation before Father Bryan Rosling will short be joined by Father Barry moving on to other semi-
Hickey, who will transfer naries. from his East Perth resiMen interested in spenddence and act as bursar for ing some time at the new the new experimental group. seminary facility are now The new concept is to welcome to contact Father provide a hostel commun- Rosling at St Mary's Cathity where men thinking of edral, a vocation can pursue their normal activities but enjoy NO ACADEMIC PERIOD Father Rosling explained the support of a formation this week that the procommunity. Each man will be asked gramme at St Charles' was to pay for his board and not being geared to any academic period.
A man could spend as much time as he felt necessary there in order to get in community experience living before moving on to formal seminary life elsewhere, if he so desired. The programme at St Charles' would be simple: daily Mass, a short period of prayer, and some light study of scripture.
Marriage rate falls: Fewer religious ceremonies As Australia's marriage rate continues to fall but the number of divorcees remarrying rises, barely half the weddings in W.A. are now being celebrated in religious ceremonies. In 1978 only 56.8 per cent of WA weddings were conducted in a religious ceremony, whereas in 1969 the figure was 82.9 per cent, according to the publication "Marriages 1978' issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bulk of the shift has gone to the new category of special wedding cele-
brants.
Capital
Territory (6.6 pc)
1973
to
17.1
per cent
in tween
not following this na- 1978; this latter figure is tional trend and are still the same as the national relying mostly on the of- Anglican average. ficial registrars for their On the national scene, civil weddings. only 65 per cent of wedA steadily decreasing dings are now celebrated number of Catholic wed- religiously, well down from dings in WA (1904 in 1977, the 89 per cent of 1969. 1771 in 1978) still holds at Australia's p o p u !anon the percentage of 18.1 of prospects must come into the State total, but down question as the total numfrom the 25 per cent that ber of weddings in Austrawas the Catholic portion in lia continues to descend are
In WA these celebrants performed 28.3 per cent of 1973. year by year. weddings, far above any The current WA proporother major State figures tion is below the national NATIONAL SCENE (Victoria 23.2 per cent, Catholic average of 21 per Since 1971 when there Queensland and Northern cent. was a peak of 117,637 Territory 21.9 per cent). Anglican ceremonies in weddings, the figure is now Only South Australia WA have slumped slightly down to 102,958 in 1978. (7.8 pc) and the Australian more from 26.6 per cent in The only exception to the downturn was 1976 when a surge of weddings is con-
-
-
sidered to have been the result of the new Family
Law Act. The crude marriage rate for Australia, the number of marriages per 1000 mean population, is now 7.2, down from the 9.8 of the years 1946-50 and the second peak of 8.8 in the years 1966-70.
persons
previously
unmarried. The only good direction taken in the 1978 figures is in the critical area of those marrying under 20 years of age, the group whose unions are considered to be most at risk. From the 1976 census returns it is estimated that the number of grooms and brides under 20 entering marriage had declined by a third from the high figures shown in the 1971 census.
'What qualtycomeshrsr
OPINIONS SOUGHT
i
The Bishops of Ausl traria are seeking the opInion of Cathotles in every parish to prepare Pi their delegation to the 3 2 Synod of Bishops in Rome next year. The theme of the Synod is "The Role of
Bishop Perkins of rl shrink, the impact of di - E 1 vorce is making its pros -a_ Melbourne is one of the two bishops who will 3 ence felt. represent Australia at'-I During 1978 only 67 per the Synod. cent of marriages involved On page 8 he provides both men and women who an extensive review of had not been married pre the subject as a backr viously. ground to the parish I In 1973 nearly 84 per group discussions. cent of weddings were be,--±
.
The new format of the Christ the King Eucharistic Festival means that patrons will have to park their cars, either behind the Concert Hall or at the foot of William Street in sufficient time to be ready for the commencement at 6.30
Smith,
Pm.
the Eucharist.
Some
the Christian Family in the Modern World." Discussion questions and two reply paids have been sent to every IMPACT OF DIVORCE parish in Australia so that groups can register *2 But while the number of = their views. continues to weddings
385 Canning Highway, Melville Phone 3391711 Lie. No. 3371.
People will have to take particular note of the early starting time and arrange to be seated for the folk singing at 6.30 pm in the Supreme Court Gardens next Sunday, November 25.
'
1
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cars
carrying
the infirm would be ad= muted to the enclosure but they would have to carry the special permit obtainable from the
as a response to the need of people to express their Christian hope today.
YEAR OF THE CHILD Dean Foley said that because
this
was
the
Year of the Child, emphasis had been placed on youth commitment to
(CONTINUED P.2)
CHANCE TO ADJUST Father Rosling said that it was appreciated that the men would be busy at their work during the day or studies, either during the day or night, and extra burdens would not be imposed. The hostel was open to men over 18 years of age. The facilitiy would be ideal for the older matureage man, Father Rosling explained, who might want time to adjust before countering the different life. style to be encountered at the Adelaide or Kensington seminaries to which local candidates for the priesthood proceed.
(CONTINUED, PAGE 3)-...4
Catholic Church Office and would have to be in position before 6.30 pm. KEEN INTEREST Dean Foley said this week that interest in the new venture was growing and many people were seeking further in-
formation.
SUPPLY YOUR NEW
COMMODORE NOW ! !
He said that the celebration was for the whole community and was following in the footsteps of the tradition that had built up around the Christ the King Eucharistic cele-
bration, held since 1938 at Aquinas College. In the new Supreme Court Gardens ceremony there would be a special prayer of commitment, suggested by one of the
iffmmittee, Sister
WILL
loan
Cosh back on your trade-in too!