CONTENTS. Features. Editorial. 2 Editorial. from the Bishop s Diary June. July. June Bishop's Message. Tribute to Fr Tony Redden

Transcription

1 education

2 2 Editorial Editorial In thinking on the topic of education my mind takes me back to 1964 where I see three or four lads, [of which I was one] going home from school, making up ditties and rhymes, as we went along from what we d learned from our teacher, who was a fair bit of a grouch. A lay-teacher, having been born in 1890, I think she had a right to be! But in spite of my being a bit of a horror, she did manage to get something into my brain: the love of words, and, particularly that of John O Brien s, Around the Boree Log. For individual words she encouraged us to collect ant words, such as Commandant. I have much to be thankful to her and to all who have been involved in my education over the years. Now, the big educational question, as I see it, is not so much one of funding, as with the Gonski Review, but how much time is spent on appreciation things such as the humanities; [history literature, and the like] and how much should be spent on skills needed by the wider community: are our schools simply to produce skilled labour for the workforce, where we might be considered as some kind of cannon fodder, or an added cost in production? In one lifetime I have moved from slates [about A4 size] and the from the Bishop s Diary June 17th Sacrament of Confirmation Peterborough 18th & 19th Diocesan Leadership Conference Wallaroo 24th Cathedral Liturgy 25th Meeting of Sevenhill Trustees Sevenhill 26th Guest speaker at the Catholic Religious of Australia Assembly Glenelg 29th Celebrate Mass for St Mark s College Year 12 Retreat Port Hughes 30th Attend Enthronement Service for Bishop John Stead, Bishop-elect of the Anglican Diocese of Willochra Port Pirie blackboard, to desktop and laptop computers; from Bakelite telephones to mobile phones, iphones, ipads and all that. These technological changes do not simply change educational method, but what and how we, learn and more importantly, think. This raises another question; just how much information technology is changing our selfimage are we simply another variety of the computer? Can computers be taught : the question of artificial intelligence and all that? In the seminary, I remember Fr John O Rourke commenting [I think on Romans, Chapters 1-3] that there are two basic things that can go wrong with religion. The first is our concept of who and what God is, and the second, our concept of what a human being is. Get these basics wrong and we can finish up in one kind of fundamentalism or other, and so can justify any action at all, from the devil made me do it to fulfilling God s will, when that fulfillment is obliviously not actually God s will at all, but is a manipulation of the truth that suits my, [or someone else s] agenda. These are but some of the issues we wish to begin exploring in this edition of witness. Fr. Chris Warnock July 1st Sacrament of Confirmation Coober Pedy 2nd 9th Outback visitation - Uluru 12th 14th Attend Education Conference 19th Centacare Team Days Port Pirie 21st Sacrament of Confirmation Renmark 22nd Sacrament of Confirmation Berri/ Loxton Sacrament of Confirmation Barmera 24th Meeting with SA Commission for Catholic Schools Adelaide 26th Riverland Forum Loxton 28th Sacrament of Confirmation Roxby Downs 29th Visitation Roxby Downs CONTENTS June 2012 Features Bishop's Message Tribute to Fr Tony Redden St Joseph s House Project Compassion Women s Advocate Year of Grace Around the Diocese World Youth Day Weekend St Leo s Church Centenary Stronger Futures Legislation Diocesan Information EDITOR Fr Chris Warnock frchriswarnock@gmail.com PRODUCER & ADVERTISING Automatic Print Phone: (08) sales@automaticprint.com.au A bi-monthly publication issued every February, April, June, August, October & December. Circulation: 4000 copies Readership: 17,500 readers Target audience: Catholic faith adults & children of regional South Australia.

3 Bishop s Message 3 Engaged in a Ministry of Meaning The true teacher comes into the world of his or her students as a spirit-charged prophet, teaching through his or her humanity what it is to be a good and decent human being, alive to the gifts of mind and heart, body and spirit. There are many adages which summarise my reflections on the craft of teaching. The first is a phrase from Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits who initiated the first international system of schools. Loyola, a man who never taught a day in the classroom said: We are born to praise, reverence and to serve He meant this in a religious context, of course, but it has much weight in a purely secular world as well. To praise is to exult in one s talents, seeing them as gifts to be developed. To revere is to work at one s sense of wonder and awe so that part of the spirit which produces philosophy, poetry and prayer, might continue to grow within ourselves. To serve suggests someone like Fred Hollows who stated that even within his agnosticism, the service of one s neighbour was the only thing that made sense of having human gifts. The adage also implies that we must work to give our students a vision, because people steer towards their vision. Indeed, Scripture says that without a vision the people will perish. The second adage is from Leonardo da Vinci, that the artist is always painting himself. It links to the further adage: The heart of education is the education of the heart. What is within will flow to the without. If education is for self-expression, what is the self? It s what goes on inside a person that makes them. Therefore, the teacher who can release imagination in a child, who teaches the child to reflect on experience and to ponder what he has taken into his or her mind, is helping the artist in the child release itself. That adage is not very different from the next, whoever opens a school, closes a prison. We educate for freedom, that our students know their own drum. The last adage is, No school can rise above its Common Room. We all know the saying that it takes a whole village to educate a child. A principal who does not give a very significant part of his or her energies towards the inspiration and encouragement and resourcing of his or her staff will never be the head of a good school. I am unambiguous in my conviction that education is about formation. It is an induction into wisdom, not mere instruction. In a certain sense, teachers teach themselves first and their subject second. Education is one of the healing professions, and its instruments are the living model of the teacher and the word. Our tool as teachers is the word. It is a two-edged sword, able to be used either to bless or to curse, to instruct or to mislead, to create or to destroy, to encourage or to hurt. A teacher can stand before a child and bless, instruct and create, or the teacher can blight, mislead or destroy. Teachers have enormous power and responsibility in their hands, by virtue of their role. The good teacher is an enabler, one who enables the pupils in front of him or her and thereby empowers them to earn their place. The teacher is one who frees, frees from ignorance, and thus allows a child to be released for the energies of the mind and the imagination without the exercise of which none of us would ever be fully alive or fully human. We are engaged in a ministry of meaning. The future lies in the hands of the true educators, and nothing will ever be more important to our country or society than the education of our young. The shaping of their lives through their ability to know the truth (and hence be just), to love goodness (and hence be merciful), to appreciate beauty in all its manifestations (and hence to revere), and to struggle faithfully and courageously for freedom for all (and hence be liberators) is a vocation like none other on Earth. Bishop Greg O Kelly SJ

4 4 Tribute to Fr Tony Redden Fr Tony Redden: a tribute Fr. Paul Bourke There are numerous times when we would have liked to, either turn Fr.Tony off, or at least down for awhile, such was his love of life; the eternal optimist. He enjoyed so much being at the centre of things and enjoyed even more being the centre of things. The Gospel of John that we read today, he told me, was among his favourites, for it was the one used at his Mother, Pat s funeral there are many rooms in my Fathers house. There weren t too many Rooms he didn t get to in his 64 years. The Vatican and Bishop Marsinkas, the last day at Lords for an Aussie win, getting John Fitzgerald s pre marriage papers signed during at a day at Wimbleton, maybe at one of your relations house in remote Europe, an International Council of Priest meeting in New York, the finishing line at the William Creek Races or the hospitality of Mungeranie or Birdsville. Pat said to her young son that you will never die wondering, because you will want to go and see it all. Of course the Way the Truth and the Life were woven by Tony in all of this through his love of us. From a country Catholic Family, he carried easily that rural decency and simple Faith, with such a love of his Priesthood; and so in Christ he touched your lives naturallywe express gratitude today, similar to what the late Bishop Gallagher would have in this Church in September 1971 when he Ordained Fr. Tony along with Fr. Leon Quinn, to the Redden family for your gift to us. He loved so much attending a family Wedding or get together; and there were many. One of his Whyalla flock once asked me how many more relations does Fr. Tony have? Maybe I should have said nearly as many as Abraham. The first reading from Isaiah of the Banquet of rich food and wine speaks for itself with Tony. He Archbishop Faulkner & Bishop Hurley. did love any gathering or evening out around the Kitchen Table, especially a family one. For your patient care of him over these last few more demanding years, Louise s pointing of the finger at him when he was still attempting the impossible, and the quiet support you have been for each other and all of us, we thank you. He would have had you active, entertained and involved. As a Priest of the Diocese of Port Pirie he was simply proud. With all of his showy exhuberance,he went were he was sent and loved each aspect of the good times and bad in Parish life. He could

5 5 organize you well and get you running and being responsible for Parish life. He was no Boffin, knowing who is the Church. He told me once, when he was in a smaller Rural Parish, how he would occasionally spend a whole afternoon preparing a nice meal for himself. Such wisdom has always stayed with me. He wasn t a prisoner to the, you must always be busy absurdity in modern life. He understood the reality of aloneness and didn t run from it. Whether he ever really set his goals or achieved his aims, he spent over half his Priestly life in the more remote Parishes that demand the most driving. Even this constancy, didn t curtail his extra curricular travels or events. He was active in the committees of so many local Communities and Clubs. He was Chairman of the National Council of Priests following on from a term as Treasurer. He Chaired our own Diocesan Priests Council, our Finance and Sick Priests fund; he managed the Missionary Sisters of Service and Motor Mission accounts, deeply caring for the work of these religious women; he organized our annual Clergy golf day and made all Clergy gatherings less dull and much livelier by being there. The Second Reading from St Paul to the Philippians leads me to conclude, for Tony knew, right from his early life, that his Homeland was in Heaven. Whether it was morning, noon, night or even much later, his love of God and neighbor, stand as the standard that never changed. In the last few years we have seen the courage of Tony quietly accepting his final journey armed with so many prayers and especially those of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. He never complained and I can say that from day one, when with him in Whyalla. But he did seem to take a long time to finally let go and die. Maybe it was your prayers, maybe the good medical care, but the answer may be from your own experience of Fr. Tony Redden. In all the 40 odd years I have known him he was nearly always the last to leave. There were so many times I gave up yawning and just left him to it, knowing that he would eventually retire. As his Mum said you won t ever have missed anything. Lively and Faithful friend we entrust you to the Mercy of God. We look forward to sharing with you that rich banquet in Heaven. May you rest in Peace. Fr Paul Bourke For all your general Insurance needs; Farm, Business, Domestic Norman St, Port Pirie AFSL

6 6 St Joseph's House On the 27th of April St Mark s College Year 10 students began an Outreach Program of visiting St Joseph s House. This program was developed several years ago when Ms Travers Year 10 s had to look at how the Catholic Church was involved in community service. It had small beginnings with only one class visiting but has grown and now this is a vital part of the Year 10 Religion course at St Mark s College and forms part of the students compulsory Personal Learning Plan subject. St Mark's Students visit St Joseph's House This year the students, with the cooperation of the Residents of St Joseph s, have begun some other activities including finger-nail painting, craft activities, painting and cooking. All the year 10 students will be involved for the rest of the year. The students really enjoying chatting with the residents and they look forward each week to their visits. The teachers and support staff also look forward to the visits. Over the years that the program has been operating, some students have even gone onto training in Aged Care Work and gained employment in this area. This year the visit occur on a Friday afternoon and everyone involved really appreciates all the effort involved in putting this program together. Witness Article Submissions Please forward all correspondence to Fr Chris Warnock, frchriswarnock@gmail.com Phone: Mobile: Please ensure all accompanying photos are of at least 1 megabyte in size.

7 Project Compassion 7 Project Compassion/Caritas Australia Lenten Visitor Fr. Bernard Arputhasamy SJ, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in the Asia Pacific Region, visited our Diocese Feb 25th-28th. He shared many aspects of his life and the ordinary day to day situations of peoples lives in Thailand where he is based. The young woman Khin, who featured in our week 2 of Project Compassion, became real for anyone who heard Fr. Bernard talk. A Refugee from Burma, Khim is one of an estimated 2,000,000 Burmese Refugees,living/hiding in Thailand. The JRS through the help of Project Compassion/Caritas Australia has made an Education possible for Khin and many others through the establishing of Health and Learning Centres. As always it was so good to seek the end result of our giving to Project Compassion. This is something we can sometimes question; how do we know the money gets there?. Each year our Lenten Visitor is able... for all your financial needs Call our local professional team for advice on achieving your personal goals Phone Norman Street PO Box 1236, Port Pirie SA 5540 info@pisanigroup.com.au to share their story from back home a s to how effec tive you r g iv ing i s. Port Pirie Diocesan Director Fr. Paul Bourke accompanied Fr. Bernard on his visit to the Diocese. After leaving Alice Springs, where they met, Fr. Paul drove Fr. Bernard to Santa Teresa Mission, for an overnight stay. Following Saturday morning Mass, a cuppa with some of the community, and a visit to the lovely Art Centre, they left for a lunchtime visit to the nearby Titjikala Community. There he was able to visit another Art Centre and a chat with 2 local Artists about their unique work. The accompanying Photos are of Nora with her beads and Frs. Bernard and Paul with the Centre coordinator Jane. It was then off to Yulara/Ayers Rock for the regular 3 monthly, followed by a long drive back to Coober Pedy. After Monday morning Mass and look around Coober Pedy it was then off to Roxby Downs for the night with Fr. Kevin Matthews. Tuesday Morning at St. Barbara s School and Tuesday afternoon at Caritas College, Port Augusta, concluded Fr. B er n ard s v i sit to u s. To whichever group, young or not so young, he spoke, there was a simple message of thanks for their/your kindness with Project Compassion. His work with so many hundreds of thousands of displaced people was a sobering reminder of our own lifestyle and the compelling voice of our Faith. That wonderful saying when the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others windmills. Let our own Windmill building always be Right and Just.

8 8 Women's Advocate Women s advocate talks on new media at Congress Melinda Tankard Reist is a Canberra writer, commentator and advocate who has developed a profile over the last 20 years through her work on issues affecting women and girls. A media commentator, tweeter and blogger, Melinda is someone who dares to speak out, even when it attracts abuse and vilification. Because of her outspoken stands against the objectification of women, sexualisation of girls, pornography, prostitution, trafficking and violence against women, as well as being one of Australia s first expressly pro-life feminists, Melinda s name has become synonymous with controversy, drawing strong opinions from all sides. In January, journalist Rachel Hills wrote a cover story for Sunday Life magazine called Who s afraid of Melinda Tankard Reist, sparking a fierce debate on her work, resulting in personal attacks via and Twitter. Melinda was forced to disengage from online involvement for two months. The author/editor of four books on issues affecting women, Melinda has no intention however of backing off from her work on behalf of women in developing countries, victims of trafficking, people who have suffered the effects of the porn industry, and women with unsupported pregnancies. Melinda will be one of two Australian keynote speakers at the Australian Catholic Media Congress Her presentation will focus on how she has used social media to grow a grassroots campaign and spread a message. Collective Shout (www. collectiveshout.org) is an activist movement which Melinda and her colleagues founded in 2010 to expose advertisers, corporations and marketers who objectify women and sexualise girls to sell products and services. Collective Shout has already had a number of wins against big name brands, and much of their success of Collective Shout is thanks to social media. We have run entire campaigns through Twitter, Facebook and blogs and seen amazing results, Melinda says. For example a win we achieved over Harvey Norman took four hours on twitter and that was on a Sunday afternoon!, she said. Melinda and her team have a significant focus on addressing the pornification of culture, speaking out against the mainstreaming and normalising of sex industry inspired messages in everything from children s clothing to billboards. Collective Shout succeeded in getting Playboy products removed from a jewellery chain; having Bonds recall bras for six-year-old girls, K-Mart remove sexualised underwear for little girls, and having billboards suggesting violence against women removed. The group has also taken on radio shock jocks for sexist and threating on-air comments and called on youth retailers to stop selling porn-themed t.shirts. Hypersexualised messages have become embedded in the public space. Children have been socialised and conditioned to think sexualised representations of girls and women are normal. Research tells us that sexualising treatment contributes to negative mental and physical health outcomes in children and young people. Melinda is media savvy, which is one of the reasons she will speak on new media at the Australian Catholic Media Congress. She knows what works and what doesn t as a result of being a working journalist, media advisor in Federal parliament and media commentator over a 20 year period. A frequent guest on Q and A and Channel 7 s Sunrise program among others, she comes across as convincing and articulate in the public arena. Melinda collaborates and forms alliances with a wide range of groups in Australia and internationally to achieve common goals. It s not easy to pin her down or label her, though many have tried. Melinda seems to traverse the usual Left Right divides, building movements which are diverse and welcoming of all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds to a common ground. Melinda blogs regularly on her website melindatankardreist.com Melinda will address the Australian Catholic Media Congress on 1 May in the afternoon. For more information about the ACMC2012, visit www. communicatingthewordacmc2012. com Beth Doherty

9 Year of Grace 9 Year of Grace website launched. The Official website for A Year of Grace has been launched today at signalling the start of preparations for this important event for the Catholic Church in Australia. A Year of Grace is the Australian bishops gift to the Church to celebrate and renew our faith and life as Catholics. It will begin at Pentecost 2012 and is an exhortation from the bishops of Australia to "Start afresh from Christ." Project Officer for the Year of Grace Fr. Peter Brock hopes that the site will become a hub for Catholics during the Year of Grace. The enthusiasm of the bishops for this Year of Grace can be seen in the comments of four of them on the home page. They are calling the whole Catholic Church in Australia in join them in this time of renewed prayer, or what several of them have called a 'slow-motion retreat'. "In the coming weeks and months the National Planning Team will use the website to make resources available to individuals, parishes, schools and dioceses, so that people all over the country can respond to the invitation to 'start afresh from Christ'." Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who has been a driving force behind the bishops working group on the Year of Grace is hopeful about the way in which it will renew the Australian Church. The bishops have decided, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit to call all Catholic people in Australia to a time of retreat. The Year of Grace has been like a seed, being watered gently and growing with tender care. It comes from the bishops' reflection over a number of years on the Apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (at the start of the new millennium). This letter recalls the events in Rome during the Jubilee year of 2000 and the Pope's challenge to the whole Church to "contemplate the face of Christ. All people are warmly welcomed to explore this site and the hope is that it will be a space of prayer; a place to seek resources and a place of information for you as we go on this journey together in the Catholic Church in Australia. SUPER WAREHOUSE PORT PIRIE Shop 2, 26 Main Rd Port Pirie SA 5540 PORT AUGUSTA 9 El Alamein Rd Port Augusta SA 5700 MOBILE SERVICE

10 10 Around the Diocese Jack and Madge Pilkington s 70th Wedding Anniversary Jack and Madge celebrated the 70th anniversary of their wedding last weekend. They were married on February 21st 1942, two days after the bombing of Darwin. Father Pope gave a blessing at Mass on Sunday morning and their favourite hymns formed part of the service. Around 100 family and friends gathered for afternoon tea later in the day. Jack spoke of the uncertainty of the time when they married, and of the value of family. Madge talked of the wedding day, with the reception at the Redhill Hotel, and of the next four years when Jack was away at war. This amazing couple live in Redhill after retiring from the farm they successfully built over a lifetime. Madge still uses her excellent cooking skills every day and Jack loves her daily piano playing. They are involved and interested in family, the farm and district and world events. They have great love, respect and focus for their family, their faith, the land and each other. rossigns port augusta P/F: (08) Mobile: WORKSHOP 25 BARTSCH DRIVE, PORT PIRIE SA frankdag@bigpond.net.au Lic. No. BLD25397 windows, shopfronts, vehicles large format photos and canvas prints promotional / event banners information boards interpretive signage safety signs and products We project manage from initial concept to manufacture and complete installation. 52 Victoria Parade, Port Augusta P/F: rossigns@crossroadsconcepts.com.au

11 11 Demography can so easily become destiny The report of the Gonski Funding Review will soon be made public, and there has been a lot of commentary in the media about the new funding model. These commentaries typically focus on the benefits this model will deliver for the future schooling of our young people. The talk is often about equity. The Prime Minister had a good phrase; demography is not destiny where you live should not have an untoward effect on your schooling outcomes. I wonder what the Gonski Report will say about funding country schools, in particular Catholic, country schools. Will it talk about the punishingly high cost of providing quality schooling in country Australia? Information technology, formation of staff, bus travel for students to get to school, provision for students with special needs, recruitment costs, school building construction and maintenance costs, teacher accommodation? Basically, there is a cost premium for every activity for every activity in a country Catholic school. We do not begrudge the extra loadings allocated to Government schools. We agree with them. However, Catholic schools do not have the resources to match them, and this represents a failure in equity. The Diocese of Port Pirie is my demography, and it is an excellent example of less-than-reasonable funding equity. My diocese is the is the same size as France and Germany put together and includes the lower part of the Northern Territory. We have 13 schools scattered across these distances. What I say of my diocese pertains to all country dioceses in Australia, particularly the outback ones. Few city-dwelling Australians appreciate the challenges that the tyranny of distance brings in the country. City based thinking is often blind to its impact in rural areas. An enterprise agreement recently gave school staff an allowance of 74 cents per kilometer when travelling was required. Most in-service takes place in the cities. A round trip to Adelaide at 74 cents a kilometer costs our school in Peterborough at least $400, and often there are accommodation costs in the city as well. Then there is the cost of the replacement teacher, if one can be found. Similar costs would apply would apply at our schools in Port Augusta, Gladstone and Jamestown. At Roxby Downs it could cost up to $1,400 to pay for the teacher s travel and overnight stay. There is also a significant personal toll on a teacher who has to drive a thirteenhour round trip. It is a very different case to simply driving from one Adelaide suburb to a meeting in another. The government bus may only take Catholic school children as far as the nearest government school. So eleven students at the Catholic school at Loxton are dropped sixteen kilometers from the school at Loxton North. We had to pay $78,500 for a bus with seatbelts to ensure that small numbers of children can come to us. Staff recruitment is a constant and expensive challenge; flying or driving applicants and accommodating them for interviews from the city to the bush. Building costs in the country are 25% dearer than in the city, and numerous extra costs need to be factored in to budget for any construction. The standard BER project at Roxby Downs gives the school a building shell, not a functioning hall. Students with special needs also suffer more injustice in country areas, and there needs must be met. In some rural schools there is simply not the funding available to accommodate children who seek to enroll. We cannot afford to provide the services, an thus these parents are denied choice. Government schools have all this paid for, and that is right and just. The Catholic schools in the bush struggle. They have dedicated staff and provide excellent teaching. The schools are in demand from parents, and they provide choice for those parents. But we need more government funding if we are to do the right thing by our children and our teachers. All schools (not only the Catholic schools) need to be allocated the funding that gives them the chance of providing the same level of education that city schools offer, on principle. The people arguing for greater funding equity, post-gonski, would do well to concentrate on how the young people in our regional and rural schools are faring, and how the balance can be re-set to give them and their teachers a better chance. Bishop Greg O Kelly

12 12 Bishop Appoints Youth Ministry Coordinator The Bishop, Greg O Kelly recently announced the appointment of Sr Elizabeth Young RSM as Coordinator of Youth Ministry within the Diocese. Coming to us from country South Australia, Kalangadoo, she attended school at Penola, Mary MacKillop s first school. Sister Elizabeth has been involved in two World Youth Days, and while living in Adelaide was involved with MAGiS, [Ignatian] youth group that came out of the Sydney World Youth Day. At High School, Elizabeth founded a social action group, combining the remnants of a Vinnies group and an Amnesty International group. Since coming to Port Augusta, she has been involved in YCS and attended the National YCS Conference in January. She has a passion for networking, connecting and communicating between different groups and hoped that this will help in keeping Port Pirie Diocesan youth and young adults in the loop and provide opportunities (08) to contribute news, views and ideas. All the time... Every day Dedicated to Faith-centred Funerals Pre-planned and Pre-paid Services At need Funerals Repatriations Signature Service since Wakefield Street, Adelaide 100% South Australian family owned Proprietor & Manager B Siebert Sr Elizabeth sees her role as enabling, empowering, resourcing and connecting young people, within the Diocese, providing support and faith formation. A key part of her role will to be informed and assisted by a coordination/reference group of people from around the Diocese. I look forward to walk with young people, and those who support them in their faith journeys and to discover the action of the Spirit throughout the Diocese in the up and coming generation. As Paul advised Timothy, Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

13 13 The Communion of Saints In this year of grace we are refocusing on patron saints, as people of grace, inspiring in their individuality. An ancient practice for individuals is that the day of the feast of the saint was considered more important than a person s actual birthday. This is still strongly followed in some Eastern rite Catholics and Orthodox Churches. In religious orders, where members take a new religious name, their new saints name is also celebrated. The qualities and example of the saint are also remembered and meditated on as inspirations to those whose name they take. Celebration of the feast day of the patron of the local church is also a long and honoured tradition. This year we are invited to revisit traditions to enrich our own faith-life, to remember the example of these extraordinarily graced women and men, and prayerfully request their solidarity with us. To start our renewed approach, we have collated a list of the patrons of our churches and their feast days. Patrons of the Diocese Patrons of the Churches of the Diocese Barmera St Francis Xavier December 3rd Berri Our Lady of the River May Booborowie St Dymphna May 30th Burra St Joseph May 19th Booleroo Centre St Agnes January 21st Calca The Sacred Heart June 15th Carrieton St Raphael September 29th Ceduna Our Lady Star of the Sea June 1st Chandada St Michael September 29th Cleve St Vincent de Paul September 27th Coober Pedy Ss Peter and Paul June 29th Crystal Brook Holy Trinity June 3rd Cummins St Andrew November 30th Elliston St Francis of Assisi October 4th Georgetown The Immaculate Heart of Mary July 2nd Gladstone St Peter June 29th Hallett The Good Shepherd April 29th Hawker Ss Philip and James May 3rd Hammond St Dominic August 8th Jamestown St James the Apostle May 3rd Kadina The Sacred Heart June 15th Kimba The Sacred Heart June 15th Kyancutta St Patrick March 17th Leigh Creek The Good Shepherd April 29th Laura St John the Evangelist December 27th Lock St Martin de Porres November 3rd Loxton St Albert November 15th Minnipa Christ the King November 25th Moonta St Francis of Assisi October 4th Morgan Ss Ursula/Angela Merici January 27th Orroroo St Joseph March 19th Pekina St Catherine of Siena April 29th Peterborough St Anacletus April 26th Port Augusta All Saints November 1st Port Broughton St Margaret of Scotland November 16th Port Lincoln St Mary of the Angels August 2nd Port Pirie St Mark April 26th Quorn-Carrieton Immaculate Conception December 8th Red Hill St Martin of Tours November 11th Renmark St Therese of the Child Jesus October 1st Roxby Downs St Barbara December 4th Snowtown St Canice October 11th Solomontown St Anthony of Padua June 13th Spalding St Augustine August 28th Streaky Bay St Canute July 10th Tumby Bay St Leo November 10th Waikerie St Thomas More June 22nd Wallaroo Star of the Sea June 1st Whyalla St Theresa October 1st Our Lady Help of Christians May 24th Wilmington Ss Alexis & John Nepomuncene July 17th & May 16th Wirrabra St Augustine August 28th Woomera St Michael September 29th Wudinna St Anne July 26th Mary: the Immaculate Conception St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

14 14 World Youth Day Weekend

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16 16 Clergy Golf Day The major event of the month was the Clergy Golf Day, held on Monday 14th May, featuring golf at the Port Augusta Golf Course which is in superb condition, and dinner at the Parish Centre afterwards. A beautiful day at the Port Augusta Golf Course greeted participants for the Clergy Golf Day. As happens in golf, some excelled in the fine conditions, others inexplicably struggled a little, but the winner of the day was the shared companionship and camaraderie between clergy and laity, and is an event our Port Augusta KSC Branch is delighted to support. Fr John Folkman winner of the Bishop Hurley Trophy In this event the match committee always find a way to have everyone a winner, though some awards are more sought after than others. The prize giving ceremonies hosted by Fr. Paul Bourke and speeches were highly entertaining as we have come to expect. Some of the winners on the day were : Clergy Winner of the CCI trophy for best off the stick was Fr. Mathew Newman with a fantastic score of 79 off the stick. Winner of the Bishop Hurley trophy was Fr. John Folkman (95 off the stick) also Long Drive. Winner of the Bishop DeCampo Trophy was Fr. Germano Baguini (32 Stableford Points) Winner of the Darby Walsh Trophy was Fr. Paul Crotty Amongst others featuring were Fr. Kevin Matthews (Bradman Trophy) and Gary Stokes ( Nearest to Pin) At the Trophy presentations for the Clergy Golf Day in Port Augusta, L to R, Steve Canon from CCI (also laity off the stick winner) with Fr. Paul Crotty winner of the Darby Walsh Trophy (best Net) and the winner of the CCI trophy for best clergy off the stick, Fr. Mathew Newman. Laity Winner of the Laity best off the stick was Steve Canon from major Sponsor CCI Insurances with an impressive 81 off the stick. Runner up was Steve Griffith from Whyalla (82) 3rd was Charlie Agett also from Whyalla (83) AUTO CRASH REPAIRERS PORT PIRIE - Crash Repairs - Mechanical Service - Caravans Repairs - Wrecking - RAA Contractors - 24 Hr Towing - Windscreen Fitted - Onsite Bake Oven Main Road, Port Pirie

17 17 The non-golfing bush walkers also enjoyed some presentations at the Golf dinner Fr Jim pictured with Fr Julius- best dressed walker (debatable!) Rod Hern won the Stableford Comp with 34 Stableford Points Alan Geyer and Terry Brown tied for Best net with 74 net The 3 course meal prepared largely by Vicki and Neil Miller and supported by the Port Augusta KSC branch members was very much appreciated, as was the lunch provided at the club before hit off by the Catholic Women s League. Darryl Barnes input was also appreciated at the bar for the dinner and for the savoury plates at the club house after the golf. Support for the event from sponsors Catholic Church Insurances and A1 Credit Union and others was fantastic also. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event. (Articles and photos courtesy of Gary Rowbottom KSC) LOOKING FOR QUALITY? SAMANT HOME IMPROVEMENTS ALTERATIONS RENOVATIONS PERGOLAS EXTENSIONS RE-ROOFING BATHROOM RENOVATIONS HOMES DESIGNED TO YOUR NEEDS Sam Salvemini - Builder/carpenter PORT PIRIE Lic. No. GL SMITHS ELECTRICAL * Large range of ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES * Mobile Telephones & Accessories * Televisions "We've Got it" Call in and see Phil and Judy LaForgia & the team at Ellen Street, Port Pirie Ph: P & J PISANI KERB & GUTTER SPECIALISTS AND ALL CONCRETE WORK Driveways & Paths PORT PIRIE & Raft Foundations & Floors SURROUNDING AREAS Continuous Garden Edging Concrete Boom Pump Available for All Concrete Pours Mobile EST. SINCE 1983 Lic No. RL 22473

18 18 St Leo s Church Centenary St Leo s Church, Tumby Bay Celebrates Centenary The Catholic Community of Tumby Bay will celebrate a hundred years of faith and love on the 25th and 26th of August. The current community invite all past members, particularly, priests, and Missionary Sisters of Service, to celebrate with us this milestone. Bishop Greg O Kelly will celebrate Mass with us on Sunday 26th September, which will be followed by a luncheon. The organizers would appreciate it if people who are considering attending could notify Karyn and Gary Speed, 5 Nelcebee St. Tumby Bay 5605, by phone on , or , speedgk@bigpond.com They hope to have a historical display, but no originals. Rather copies, scanned to disk, or USB, and ensure the named are included. Bigger - Better - Stronger 114 Main Road, Port Pirie Ph HAVE WITNESS POSTED TO YOU INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO WITNESS $30 - POST to: Catholic Diocesan Office PO Box 1206, Port Pirie, SA, 5540 Cheques made payable to Catholic Diocese: CDPP Inc, Witness A/c Advertise your business here. Circulation 4,000 copies Pavers & Retaining Wall Blocks Tiles and Sanitaryware Kitchen Appliances For details please contact Robyn Dite, Automatic Print P. (08) or robyn@ automaticprint.com.au Come in & see our stylish showroom & friendly staff today. For all sales enquiries please sales@pirietiles.com.au Delivery available to your local area Issues August, October & December

19 Stronger Futures Legislation 19 WHY THE CONTINUING GAP? SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH QUESTION THE CONTRADICTION BETWEEN STRONGER FUTURES LEGISLATION AND THE GOVERNMENT S COMMITMENT TO TRUST AND RESPECT? The Sisters of St Joseph continue to question the government s proposed expansion of compulsory income management, its punitive welfare policy, and the pursuit of SEAM, which purportedly aims to improve school enrolments and attendance. Speaking as a Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph right across Australia, Sr Anne Derwin expressed the disappointment that many Australians are also expressing at this time. This latest bill reminds us once again of all our concerns about the previous legislation. The Bill seems to be at cross purposes with the Government s own social inclusion principles. The rights of Aboriginal people are not sufficiently protected, and the new legislation was developed even before the evaluations of the previous programs were concluded, Sr Anne said. We are particularly disturbed by the continuing failure to include the Aboriginal communities in genuine and adequate consultation and participation. The considerable disquiet among Aboriginal people is indicative of the levels of anxiety and alienation caused by these latest proposals. Sisters have expressed ongoing concern about a number of issues; the selective and limited consultation with Aboriginal communities and leaders, the fact that, of all the proposals related to SEAM, only the most punitive was chosen, the rejection of the maxim that community-led and community-owned solutions are more likely to succeed than top-down punitive measures Following ongoing consultations with Aboriginal communities with whom they are involved, and after making submissions to Government regarding their concerns about the legislation, a number of Sisters joined with their aboriginal colleagues to travel to Canberra this week to take part in the rally opposing the new legislation. Many Sisters of St Joseph live and work beside Aboriginal people and many belong to a vibrant Reconciliation Circle in Adelaide. Coded Welding Steel Fabrication Steel Construction Crane & Access Hire Rigging/Scaffolding Abrasive Blasting/ Protective Coating Structural, Mechanical & Welding Contractors 7/24 Hour Service Port Pirie Ph: (08) Fax: (08) With many Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, we urge the government to engage in meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal communities, Sr Anne concluded. Sisters of St Joseph beg the government to look at the evidence on the ground and listen to the experience Aboriginal people have of living with the Intervention. Only in this way can our Government ensure that both the requirements of the Racial Discrimination Act are honoured, and that any new legislation restores to Aboriginal people the rights they ought to enjoy as citizens of this nation. Whyalla Ph: (08) Fax: (08)

20 20 Diocesan Information Diocesan and Parish Contacts Bishop Bishop Greg O Kelly SJ AM DD O Rielly House Box 1206, Port Pirie 5540 Sth Australia Phone [08] Fax [08] diocoffice@pp.catholic.org.au Parishes and Mass Times around the Diocese Berri Fr Steve Ardill Phone Fax olor@bigpond.com 9 am & 6pm Barmera Sunday 11am Waikerie 1st 3rd 5th Sundays 8 am 2nd 4th Sundays 11 am Blanchetown 2nd Sunday 4 pm Morgan 1st 3rd 5th Sunday 7 pm 2nd 4th Sunday 6 pm Booleroo Centre Fr D Victory Phone/Fax booleroocentre@bigpond.com Booleroo Centre Each Sunday 8.30 am [5th] Sunday 10 am Laura 1st Sunday 10 am Pekina 2nd Sunday 10 am Wirrabara 3rd Sunday 10 am Orroroo 4th Sunday 10 am Burra Fr. L.J. Quinn Phone Fax Cleve Fr Adrian Head Phone agh1112@bigpond.com Cleve 1st Sunday 11 am 2nd Sunday 8.30 am 3rd Sunday [Vigil] 6 pm 4th Sunday 9 am 5th Sunday 11 am Cowell 1st Sunday 8.30 am 2nd Sunday 11 am 3rd Sunday 9 am 4th Sunday [Vigil] 6 pm 5th Sunday 8.30 am Kimba 1st Sunday [Vigil] 6 pm 2nd Sunday 9 am 3rd Sunday 8.30 am 4th Sunday 11 am 5th Sunday [Vigil] 6 pm Wudinna 1st Sunday 9 am 2nd Sunday [Vigil] 6 pm 3rd Sunday 11 am 4th Sunday 8.30 am Coober Pedy Fr Paul Bourke Phone Fax inlandmission.cp.@bigpond.com.au [Vigil] 6.30 pm am Cummins Fr J. Stewart-James Phone Fax cumminsparish@bigpond.com.au Cummins 1st 4th Sunday 8.30 am 2nd Sunday am [Vigil] 3rd 5th 6 pm Tumby Bay 1st 4th Sunday am 2nd Sunday 8.30 am 3rd 5th Sunday 5 pm Gladstone Mgr Arthur Hackett Phone ajbhackett@bigpond.com 1st 3rd 5th Sunday 9 am Georgetown 2nd 4th Sunday 9am Jamestown Mgr Paul Quirk V.G. Phone stjacobi@bigpond.com.au [Vigil] 6 pm 9 am Peterborough 11 am Kadina Fr Adrian Noonan Phone Fax sacheart@internode.on.net Kadina 10 am Moonta 8.30 am Wallaroo [Vigil] 7.00 pm Loxton Fr Medad Phone Fax kunambi@hotmail.com 1st 3rd 5th 11 am 2nd 4th 8 am Pt Augusta Fr Paul Crotty allsaintspt.a@bigpond.com Phone Fax Fr Kh lid Marogi marogi68@hotmail.com Pt Augusta [Vigil] 6.30 pm am Wilmington 8.30 am Pt Lincoln Fr Brian Matthews Phone smoa@bigpond.com Fr Matthew Newman fr.matthewnewman@gmail.com [Vigil] 6 pm 9 am Coffin Bay 1st Sunday 6 pm Pt Pirie Fr Leon P. Quinn Adm cathedralpirie@bigpond.com Phone Fax Fr Francis Montero Cathedral [Vigil] 6.00 pm am Solomontown 5.00 pm Crystal Brook 8.30 am Quorn Fr Chris O Neil Phone Fax frcj@bigpond.com [Vigil] 6.30 pm 2nd 4th Sunday 8.30 am Carrieton [Vigil] 2nd 4th Sundays 6.30 pm 1st 3rd 5th Sundays 8.30 am Hawker Sunday am Leigh Creek 1st Sunday 3.30 pm Renmark Fr J. Watherston Phone Fax thereseren@bigpond.com.au [Vigil] 6.30 pm, 9am Roxby Downs Fr Kevin Matthews Phone Office Fax kev.mat@bigpond.com.au Roxby Downs [Vigil] 6 pm Sunday 9 am Woomera 2nd 4th 5th am Andamooka 1st 3rd Sunday 11 am Snowtown Mgr Ray Pope Phone/Fax Streaky Bay Fr John Folkman Whyalla Fr Jim Monaghan jgmon7@hotmail.com Phone Fax Fr Arno Vermeeren whysaint@internode.on.net St Teresa s [Vigil] 7 pm 8.30 am Our Lady s am 5.30 pm