Light and Life. Drawing Closer to Christ: Meditations for Teachers. Contents. Special Edition

Transcription

1 A Monthly Publication of the Confraternity of the Light and Life Aug-Sept 2007 A Monthly Publication of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine-Archdiocese of Sydney Volume 1, Issue 6 Special Edition Drawing Closer to Christ: Meditations for Teachers About 45 people, including some catechists, attended the half-day retreat at the parish of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Normanhurst on Saturday 11 August. The retreat was organised by the Society of Catholic Teachers Association, and given by the national chaplain Father Tim Deeter. The theme of the retreat was Drawing Closer to Christ. We include here some notes taken from the talks given by Fr Deeter. He has taught high school students in the United States. and Australia, and has many years experience as a priest. Prayer Prayer life corresponds with human life; we must talk to God, not at Him. We can speak to Him familiarly, and trust that our prayers will be heard. We do not need to make contingency plans, in case our prayers fail that is, in case they are not granted. God gives us just what we need, never too much or too little. Therefore, we ask for what we need, not what we want. Prayer should lead to meditation that flows into contemplation. This prayer life is for everyone, not a select few. We don t need formulas or lots of words. God speaks to us when we are still enough to listen. We must spend time in silence, just b e i n g present with Jesus, especially in the church. Many converts have been made in the past because of the witness of those ordinary Catholics who prayed silently, kneeling before the tabernacle. We need to take time to remember God s blessings, and to see the good in others. We thank God for that good, rather than enumerating other people s faults to Him! Teaching If we love Jesus, the students will know that we love them. Teach little children to kneel and pray at night. Don t forget the importance of developing their relationship with Mary. Contents Continued page 8... Do you have a faith question, a teaching suggestion, or an amusing or touching anecdote that you would like to share with other catechists? Contact Mary Carolan at mary.carolan@ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au PO Box A286, Sydney South, NSW 1235 Drawing Closer to Christ..1 From the Catechists..2 A Saint s Day....2 A Moment with God 2 Questions and Answers..3 Nine Days of Prayer..3 Annual Catechist Mass, Award Recipients..4-6 A Saint for Fathers Day.7 Around the Archdiocese.8

2 Page 2 From the Catechists Who were the brothers of Jesus? Some English translations of Scripture refer to James, the brother of the Lord (Matt. 13:55, Acts 15:13-21, 1 Cor. 15:7, Gal. 1:19). We know that the brothers (and sisters) of the Lord were not immediate family, because their parents are named elsewhere in Scripture, eg James son of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21, 10:2, 17:1, Acts 12:2) and James son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3, Acts 1:13) Why, then, are they referred to as brothers? Aramaic had no word for cousin. Aha, brother, was also used to mean cousin, uncle, nephew, step-brother, or even, in some cases, friend or ally. This is not due to a poverty in the Aramaic language, but is a reflection of a strong cultural sense of family, which was broader than our idea of the nuclear family. A modern equivalent is the habit of having children address female friends of their parents as Auntie. A Saint s Day The first Christians in Palestine referred to Jesus relatives as aha, which was rendered into Greek as adelphos. This conveyed the sense of family intimacy better than anepsios, the Greek word for cousin, but narrowed the blood sense of the word. Some English translations use the word brethren, which, like kinsman, conveys the broader relationship sense a little better. St Andrew Taegon On September 20 we honour 103 Koreans, - 11 clergy and 92 laypeople, young and old who were martyred between This includes: Andrew Taegon, the first native priest of Korea; Paul Chong Hasang, a seminarian and catechist; Columba, a single laywoman, aged 26, who was tortured, left naked in prison, and finally beheaded; Peter Ryou, aged 13, who was strangled to death after being tortured. A Moment with God September 8 8 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 14 The Triumph of the Cross September 15 Our Lady of Sorrows September 17 St Robert Bellarmine September 20 Ss Andrew Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions September 21 St Matthew September 23 St Padre Pio September 27 St Vincent de Paul September 29 Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael "As we contemplate this Mother, whose heart a sword has pierced (cf. Luke 2:35), our thoughts go to all the suffering women in the world, suffering either physically or morally. In this suffering a woman's sensitivity plays a role, even though she often succeeds in resisting suffering better than a man. It is difficult to enumerate these sufferings; it is difficult to call them all by name. We may recall her maternal care for her children, especially when they fall sick or fall into bad ways; the death of those most dear to her; the loneliness of mothers forgotten by their grown-up children; the loneliness of widows; the sufferings of women who struggle alone to make a living; and women who have been wronged or exploited. Then there are the sufferings of consciences as a result of sin, which has wounded the woman's human or maternal dignity: the wounds of consciences which do not heal easily. With these sufferings too we must place ourselves at the foot of the Cross."

3 Page 3 Questions and Answers...Questions and Answers... Q: We know that the Church requires miracles for beatification and canonisation. But how do we establish that the events are miracles? How do we avoid being affected by mere enthusiasm, or even superstition or hysteria? A: When reports of miracles are being investigated, both the theological and medical aspects are considered. The subject of the miracle is usually an organic illness, as these are more easily proved scientifically. Theological: Did the cure happen in the context of prayer to God through the intercession of the holy person? Medical: Was the cure beyond normal medical and scientific explanation? The following questions are asked in order to ascertain this: 1. Did the person really have the illness? Was it a valid diagnosis? 2. Is there proof that, at another point in time, the illness was gone? 3. Is there proof that the cure was not brought about by medical or surgical means? 4. Is there proof that it was morally instantaneous i.e outside the normal curative process? 5. Is there proof that the cure was complete? 6. Is the cure permanent? Before a cure can be examined as a possible miracle, five years must elapse for an adult, and ten for a child. Nine Days of Prayer Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows Each day: Oh God, come to my aid. Oh Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. (Scripture reading and private prayer of intercession for the intention of the day) Holy Mother of God, hear the prayers of the Church for all mothers, especially those wearied by life and overcome by the suffering they bear for their children. Hail Mary... O Mother of the Word Incarnate, intercede for them from your place in heaven, that the mercy of your divine Son might lighten their burdens and give them strength. Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... Day One: Luke 7: For the suffering women of the world Day Two: Matthew 1: For mothers who will give birth today Day Three: John 19: For fathers whose children are born today Day Four: Luke 2: For all children Day Five: Hebrews 5: 7 9 For families Day Six: Colossians 3: For peace in the home Day Seven: Psalms 31: 2-5 For those suffering in secret Day Eight: Philippians 2: 6-11 For the grace to stand at the foot of the Cross Day Nine: Psalms 31: 15-16, 20 For the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows

4 Page 4 Light and Page Life 4 Award Recipients, Annual Catechist Mass September 16, 2007 Apostolic Blessing (20 Years of Service) Bass Hill Kathleen Elizabeth Hanrahan Peakhurst Evelyn Graham Revesby Margaret Frances Cudmore Sefton Patricia Rolfe City Area Randwick Kenneth Patrick Leo Finn Concord Area Ashfield Nola Makowiak Croydon Dorothy Jean Kilroy Sutherland Area Bexley Kerri-Ann Farr Como-Oyster Bay Ellen Mary Westbrook Cronulla Bert Rowe Gymea Norman Wray Kogarah Pauline Clancy Sylvania Margaret Forshaw Josephine Mamo Western Area Holsworthy Maureen Howe Cardinal Freeman Medal (25 Years of Service) Greenacre Angela Mangini Padstow Sharon Cooke Revesby Heights Barbara Sherry City Area Malabar Viviane Felice Mascot Oswald Agius Surry Hills Doris Azzopardi Concord Area Eastwood Veronica Flanagan North Ryde Barbara Kovaloff Sutherland Area Cronulla Christine Lester Kogarah Crucifixa Payne Maureen Sullivan Western Area Liverpool Rose Furfaro Moorebank Rosaria Rita Caltabiano

5 Page 5 Award Recipients, Annual Catechist Mass September 16, 2007 Cardinal Gilroy Award (40 Years of Service) Auburn Margaret Medhurst Beverly Hills May Mitchell Campsie Patricia Weinert Clemton Park Doreen Quinn Greenacre Betty Brayshaw Padstow Dianne McGrath City Area Marrickville Maureen Power Rosebay Nina Mary Walk Concord Area Croydon Clare Mary Jenkins Haberfield Moya Phillips Ryde Merryl Foster Sutherland Area Engadine Margaret Spratt Gymea Imelda Logue Kogarah Elsie Mary (Meg) Campbell Rockdale Patricia Thompson Western Area Cabramatta Sr Patricia Percival Carnes Hills Fr Pat Hurley Liverpool Margaret Collimore Beverley Hickey Pauline McNuff Villawood Fr Kevin Spillane Catechist Ministry Certificate Oatley Michael Cummins Western Area Hoxton Park Peter Miraziz

6 Page 6 Light and Page Life 6 Award Recipients, Annual Catechist Mass September 16, 2007 Archdiocesan Certificate of Accreditation Condell Park Steven Tannous Earlwood Enide Gossow Barbara Filomena Rose-Marie Babs Mary Lina Martin Mihas Rahme Rodrigues Xuereb Lidcombe Socorro Canare Oatley Edvina Prest Penshurst Mary King Sefton Adam Ziolkowski Silverwater Korean Bong Ho (Leo) Cha Min Kyung Hyun Jung Elizabeth Eun Mi Rosa Sera Mary Eun- Hye David Soo- Myung Christina (Heejin) John Peter Simon Harold Darong Oriva Yoon-Kyung Lina Jae In Minna Julia Rupert Paul James John Anna Monica Richard Jin Wook Sean Michael Anna Christopher Christina Cho Choi Choi Hwang Jang Jang Jin Ko Kwon Lee Min Mok Moon Oh Park Shin Yang You Youn Concord Area Ashbury Lillian Wade Concord West John Kennedy Croydon Maronite Tony Hanna Debbie Koura Marie Sahyoun Fred Succar Jessica Touma Five Dock Vincent Moschella Hunters Hill Houda Dakhoul Lane Cove John Parmentier Lewisham Jose Elizabeth Wierzbicki Meadowbank Judith Orrock Paul Thambyah North Ryde Irma Escalante Magdalene Gomes Nola Hough Sutherland Area Arncliffe Thomas McDermott Brighton-Le-Sands Frances Alonzo Alfred Gellel Beverly Trott Caringbah Elaine Maher Leonard O'Neill Judith Sinclair Cronulla Bill Hofrichter Kogarah Steven De Vine Sr Patricia Ryan Menai Maria Gillan Rockdale Josefina Gonzaga Sylvania Pauline Farrugia

7 Page 7 A Saint for Fathers Day An inspiration for Fathers Day: Blessed Peter To Rot, a husband, father, catechist, and martyr for marriage. Peter To Rot was born in 1912 in Rakunai, a village on the Melanesian island of New Britain, today an eastern province of Papua New Guinea. His own father, the great chief of the village, was instrumental in bringing Catholicism to his people. At the age of 18, Peter began training as a catechist. After three years study, he obtained the catechist's diploma and began his work as a catechist in Rakunai, organising catechesis in the village, gathering large and small groups for instruction and prayer and becoming acquainted with people's real-life situations. On 11 November 1936, Peter To Rot married the young Catholic, Paula la Varpit. The early years of the marriage were difficult, but the couple grew in grace by praying together at every dawn and dusk. They had three children: Andrea, who died after the war; a little girl, Rufina La Mama; and the third child (name unknown), who was born shortly after Peter s death in 1945 and died soon thereafter. In 1942, after the Japanese occupation, all the missionaries and priests were imprisoned in a concentration camp. Peter To Rot remained alone. During the war he was the only spiritual guide for Catholics in the Rakunai district. He provided prayer services, catechetical instruction, and assistance to the sick, dying, and poor. On the outskirts of Rakunai, he built a church for the Catholic community from branches, the only material available. The main church had been destroyed by the Japanese. Soon, military police replaced the local authorities. Christian worship and all types of religious gatherings, public and private, were forbidden. The Japanese then attempted to enforce polygamy. Peter firmly opposed this, and was arrested in April or May He was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Referring to this, Peter said: "I am here because of those who broke their marriage vows and because of those who do not want the growth of God's kingdom". He was held in a concentration camp which had been set up in a cave and accused of religious gatherings, interference in the Japanese plan for polygamy and persistence in his catechetical activities. During one prison visit, Peter To Rot said to his mother The police have told me that the Japanese doctor will be coming to give me some medicine. I suspect that this is a trick. I am really not ill at all and I cannot think what all this means". Despite the precautions of the Japanese, Arap To Binabak, a prisoner, witnessed Peter s death. The doctor gave Peter an injection, then something to drink and stuffed his ears and nose with cotton wool, forcing him to lie down. Peter was stricken with convulsions. The "doctor" covered his mouth and kept it closed. The convulsions continued for a time, while the doctor held him still. Peter fell into unconsciousness and after a long while drew his last breath. The next morning the authorities feigned great surprise when they saw Peter's corpse, and said that the prisoner died from a secondary infection. The immense crowd which attended Peter To Rot s burial, notwithstanding the presence of the Japanese police, immediately considered Peter a martyr. Peter To Rot was beatified on January 17, 1995 and his feast is kept on July 7. Blessed Peter To Rot, catechist and martyr for marriage, pray for us!

8 Page 8 Around the Archdiocese... Teaching Religion: Intensive Course September 9am 5:30 pm, September 10 9am 5pm, September 11 The Catholic Adult Education Centre, 3 Keating Street, Lidcombe Course cost: $110 Tel: info@caec.com.au Website: Annual Catechist Mass Sunday, September 16 2pm St Mary s Cathedral Catechists and their families and friends are invited to the year s largest celebration of the catechetical apostolate Catechist Ministry Certificate: N.B courses require a minimum of 10 students to run. Bookings are required two weeks in advance Catholics in History (MI13) Lucy O Connell CCD Office, Hoxton Park 21 Twentieth Ave Hoxton Park Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 2pm October 2, 3 The Eucharist (MI19) Robert Haddad CCD Office, Hoxton Park 21 Twentieth Ave Hoxton Park Wednesday & Thursday, 10am to 3pm November 14,15 The Fathers of the Church (MI10) CCD Office, Hoxton Park Monday & Tuesday, 10am to 3pm December 10 & 11 Robert Haddad World Youth Day Update Please check the WYD website for the latest news and information updates ( We are encouraging students over 16 years of age to register as part of a parish pilgrim group. The registration package includes meals, free transport around Sydney, the pilgrims bag and updates on WYD activities. Pilgrims are encouraged to register and become part of a group where they can share the WYD experience, before, during and after WYD. Some of the money raised from registrations will assist the pilgrims coming from less advantaged countries. Drawing Closer to Christ, cont d... Those who have access to a chapel or church can take your class there, and let them just sit in silence. As their teacher pray that, like flowers in the sun, they will open and respond to God s grace. Take the Bible into class with you. When you are at a loss for what to do, open at the Gospels and just read. Students will settle and be interested. Encourage students to make a visit to the chapel or local church. They can never be in trouble for being late for class if they were paying a visit to Our Lord on the way!