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ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL was last month overwhelmed with visitors and regular parishioners as the local com-munity from far and wide came together to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The West Australian news-paper reported that some 7000 people visited the Cathedral between December 24 and 25.

In celebrat ing the Christmas season, the Archbishop said that he believes there’s a growing sense that faith has some-thing special to offer people.

“At Christmas particularly, people are very open to the spiritual side of life,” the Archbishop said.

“Christmas is a celebration of God’s determination never to abandon us, no matter whether we chose to abandon him,” he said.

In his homily for the December 24 Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Archbishop Costelloe spoke about seeing our faith in whole.

“Each of the different things we believe are an important and essential part of the whole but our faith will only really make sense to us when we begin to see how each of the things we believe is linked together to reveal the beauty of the whole,” he said.

The Archbishop spoke about his own traditions when he was a young boy, which included making

paper chains from different coloured paper.

“As we celebrate Christmas tonight, and as we retell the stories of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, our celebration is a little like one of those paper links in the chain.

“It will have its own inter-est and beauty, and it is abso-lutely essential to our faith, but it will only really make sense when we begin to see how it is linked to everything else we believe.

St Mary’s Cathedral Dean, Msgr Michael Keating said seeing a near capacity crowd for the occasion was proof that the presence of Christ at Christmas is still very near and real.

“I believe the effect of Pope Francis and the commence-ment of the Year of Mercy has encouraged people to think about the meaning of their life and to seek God’s mercy

through the sacraments,” Msgr Keating said.

The eRecord Editor Jamie O’Brien spoke with a num-ber of parishes across the Archdiocese to report about how they celebrated the birth of Christ.

ALIVE Youth Ministry Leader Francis Plando from Good Shepherd Lockridge Parish said the occasion was a wonderful night of sharing the love and joy with loved ones and strangers alike.

“The event was an immense success and enjoyed a posi-tive reception largely due to the collaborative effort of the youth ministry, school and parish volunteers,” Mr Plando said.

Our Lady of Lourdes Rockingham Parish celebrat-ed one of many Christmas Masses with a very windy open air Mass on “The Avenue” at Kolbe Catholic

College, on Thursday 24 December.

Fr Pier and Fr Vijay cel-ebrated the Mass in front approx 500 adult and chil-dren, accompanied with great music from a small but effec-tive choir.

Northam Assistant Parish Priest Fr Simeon San, who was ordained in August 2015, said that for him, the Christmas period demon-strated a good opportunity to re-connect with God.

More than 350 people came together over the two day Christmas period at the Northam Parish Community, which includes several Mass centres.

To read the homily of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, please visit www.perthcatho-lic.org.au

www.therecord.com.au

Your news from across the Archdiocese of Perth

Edition #6414 January 2016

Full Text available at www.therecord.com.au

By Jamie O’Brien

CHRISTMAS 2015 - Christ comes alivein hearts and minds of Perth at Christmas

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe kneels in front of the Nativity during the Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday 24 December 2015. The Cathedral was last month overwhelmed with visitors and regular parishioners as the local community from far and wide came together to celebrate the birth of Christ. PHOTO: RON TAN

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2016 MARKS THE 100TH YEAR since work began on Geraldton’s St Francis Xavier Cathedral, often described as the most unique Cathedral in Australia.

With a multi-million-dol-lar restoration now under-way, it is set to return it to its original glory envisaged by priest/architect, Msgr John Cyril Hawes.

Gera ldton Diocesan Director of Heritage Fr Robert Cross said the new precinct will pay tribute to Msgr Hawes whose amazing works span the globe.

Msgr Hawes first set foot on West Australian soil in November 1915.

In the 24 years that fol-lowed, he went about build-ing and designing some of the Mid-West’s and the State’s most significant buildings.

Fr Cross went on to explain that at the centre of Msgr Hawe’s work is St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.

Msgr Hawes wanted the Cathedral design to reflect the strength and solidarity of the Catholic Church. He did this through solid stone walls,

massive Romanesque nave columns and a 15m-diameter dome supported by sturdy aches and ceiling timbers.

When it was finally fin-ished 23 years later, it was opened by then Perth Archbishop Prendiville in a celebration that lasted four days.

“With $2.5million already raised from public donations, a similar amount is still need-ed to complete the interior work on the Cathedral as well as the surrounding grounds,” Fr Cross said.

“As well as the Cathedral conservat ion work, a Monsignor Hawes heritage museum and café/restaurant is currently being built in the Cathedral grounds at a cost of $3.6m of which $2.2 million has been contributed by the from the State Government’s Royalty for Regions program and Lotterywest,” he said.

“This Cathedral is a nation-al treasure – there is nothing like it anywhere in Australia.

“For this reason we are hop-ing the Federal Government will provide a generous grant for the Cathedral project that

matches what has been made by the State Government and donor contributions so we can complete the planned works without further delay and stem any increased costs we are now incurring.”

For more information go to www.sfxcathedralproject.com.au

or contact Fr Robert Cross at heritage@diocese-geraldton.org.au.

Information courtesy The West Australian Newspaper.

Geraldton Cathedral to be restored to original glory

Full Text available at www.therecord.com.au

With a multi-million-dollar restoration now underway, Geraldton’s St Francis Xavier Cathedral, is set to return it to its original glory. PHOTO: GRAEME GIBBBONS

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THE ARCHDIOCESE of Perth’s Centre for Liturgy is making preparations to hold a workshop presenting music for celebrations during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

The workshop will feature quotations from Pope Francis’

encyclical Misericordiae Vultus and will offer par-ticipants the opportunity to learn new songs relating to each quote.

Run by the Centre for Liturgy’s Music Coordinator, Chris deSilva, and Music Field Officer, Alessio Loiacono, the workshop will cover music suitable for any

Year of Mercy event, as well as music that can be played for Responsorial Psalms, for gatherings and during com-munion.

This is not the first time an informative music workshop is run within the Archdiocese of Perth.

In October 2015, renowned American composer of litur-

gical music, Marty Haugen, facilitated a workshop at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, and Infant Jesus parish centre, Morley, fea-turing music for the Year of Mercy based on Misericordiae Vultus.

According to Mr deSylva, Marty Haugen’s insight-ful presentation took par-

Centre for Liturgy prepares to hold Music workshops for Jubilee Year of Mercy

The Archdiocese of Perth’s Centre for Liturgy is making preparations to hold a workshop presenting music for celebrations during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

By Marco Ceccarelli

Full Text available at www.therecord.com.au

ticipants through the back-ground of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, underscoring three central points in the Bible that surround this term “Mercy.”

The first of these focused on the Old Testament, delv-ing into the meaning of God’s mercy as a steadfast loving-kindness for the people of Israel.

The second point sin-gled out Jesus Christ as the embodiment of that mercy, and as the means through

which God manifested his mercy to the gentiles.

The third and final point was directed at the Church and its members, the people of God, and their responsibil-ity to follow the example of Jesus and make God’s mercy known to the world.

Mr deSylva also stated that in the aftermath of Mr Haugen’s workshop, there was a perceived need in the Archdiocese to educate par-ish and school musicians about the themes for the

Jubilee Year of Mercy and to introduce songs related to those themes which could be used in their parishes and schools.

The upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy workshop will be held on two different dates and in two locations:

Saturday, 13 February, from 10.30am-12.30pm - Centre for Liturgy, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara.

Saturday, 20 February, from 10.30am-12.30pm - Holy Family Catholic Church, 45

Thelma St, Como.It is essential for intending

participants to register with the Centre for Liturgy by the closing date of 29 January 2016.

Further info and to regis-ter please visit the Centre for Liturgy’s new website: www.liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au.

golden jubilee, I reserved a special thanks to those who form part of my three fami-lies: my own family, my SMA family, and my parish family,’ he added.

The youngest of ten chil-dren, Fr Liam Keating was born in Cahirciveen (Cathair Saidhbhín, meaning “Little Sadhbh’s stone ringfort”), County Kerry, Ireland, on 4 September 1939 and received his education in Cahirciveen

by the Christian Brothers. Along with 42 fellow nov-

ices, he entered the noviti-ate of the Society of African Missions (SMA) in 1958 at Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, County Galway, before undertaking his Bachelor of Arts degree at University College, Cork, between 1959 and 1962. He subsequently moved to Dromantine House at Newry, County Down, which was the seminary for

the Irish province of the SMA from 1926 until 1972.

Following his ordination to the priesthood at St Colman’s Cathedral, Newry, on 20 December 1965, Fr Keating was sent to England for post-graduate studies in philosophy at one of the country’s oldest universities: the prestigious Jesuit-run Heythrop College.

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Email: communications.media@perthcatholic.org.au

JAMIE O’BRIEN Communications Manager editor@therecord.com.au

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Parish Priest of Christ the King, Beaconsfield, Fr Liam Keating SMA, celebrated his golden jubilee on 18 December 2015. PHOTO: MARCO CECCARELLI

Beaconsfield Parish Priest celebrates Golden Jubilee - Fr Liam Keating SMABy Marco Ceccarelli

IT’S A LONG WAY from St Coleman’s Cathedral, in Newry - Northern Ireland, where Fr Liam Keating SMA was first ordained, to Christ the King Parish in Beaconsfield, Perth, Western Australia, where he now resides as Parish Priest.

Yet long distances have never stood in the way of Fr Keating’s mission to bring the good news of the gospel to the remotest ends of the earth. Time has also not been an obstacle, as his recent 50th anniversary to the priesthood revealed.

Fr Liam Keating celebrated his golden jubilee at Christ the King Church, Beaconsfield, on 18 December 2015. More than 100 people attended the momentous occasion, includ-ing Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Don Sproxton, who concel-ebrated a special Mass of thanksgiving for Fr Keating’s golden jubilee along with eight other priests from the Archdiocese of Perth.

Celebrations continued into the evening at the Italian club in Fremantle, where speeches highlighting vari-ous aspects of Fr Keating’s eventful life as a priest were delivered by Bishop Sproxton, Principal of Christ the King School, Peter Panizza, and head of the Christ the King Parish Council, Wayne Sgro.

Further celebrations were later held at Sunday Mass on

20 December 2015, the actual date of Fr Keating’s anniver-sary.

In an interview with The eRecord journalist Marco Ceccarelli, Fr Keating spoke of how grateful and delighted he was to see so many people

attend his thanksgiving mass, emphasising that these fifty years as a Priest have reward-ed him a with a deep sense of joy and fulfilment.

“I feel fulfilled in every way, and would not have changed a thing about my life

as a priest,” he said. Fr Keating went on to

highlight that his ministry could not have been possible without the presence of three very important groups of peo-ple in his life: “As I thanked everyone who attended my

1 EDITION #64 | 14 January 2016

PANORAMAWhat’s happening around the Archdiocese

WEDNESDAY, 20 JANUARYMARIST REUNIONFormer Marist students (all schools) are invited to the Annual Marist Reunion on Wednesday, 20 January at Newman College, Empire Ave, Churchlands. Mass will be celebrated at 4.30pm in the College Chapel followed by a barbeque at 6pm in the college grounds. BYO everything. No RSVP necessary. Further info: Ambrose 0419 912 187.

FRIDAY, 22 - SUNDAY, 24 JANUARY FLAME INISTRIES INTERNATIONAL 26TH ANNUAL FLAME CONGRESS

Theme: Way, Truth, and Life is intended to make Jesus known in an experiential way in order that healing, the knowledge of God, and salvation are secured for each participant. Jesus said, Salvation is to know God and the one he sent, Jesus Christ. Venue John XXIII College, Mt Claremont, Fri-Sun 22-24 Jan. With guest speakers: His Grace Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Emeritus Archbishop Barry J. Hickey, Fr. Varghese Packakaral. Other presenters include Eddie Russell, Kaye Rollings and Cyrus D’Sousa of FMI. Mass: Sun 11.30am. Rallies: Fri, Sat & Sun 7.30pm are free. Registered day sessions: Sat & Sun. Further info: Kaye kdr@aapt.net.au or 0421 605 502.

SUNDAY, 24 JANUARY“COME AND SEE”

Theme: Love leaves a mark. Come and enjoy an evening of

reflection, sharing and prayer, followed by a light meal. Where: Mary MacKillop Centre, 16 York Street, South Perth from 4pm-8pm. For catering purposes please RSVP to Sr Alma Cabassi: cabassi.alma@gmail.com or 0419 044 136 Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart

WEDNESDAY, 3 FEBRUARY LENTEN PRAYER DAY

From 10am-1pm (9.30am morning cuppa.1pm lunch included) at Mary MacKillop Centre, 16 York Street, South Perth. (Cost by donation). RSVP essential for catering purposes by Friday 29th January 2016 to Laura.McCarthy@sosj.org.au, (08) 9334 0999 Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

FRIDAY, 5 - SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARYA WEEK WITH THE ANCIENT DESERT FATHERS AND MOTHERS

The New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies invites you to spend a week immersed in the wisdom of Ancient Monasticism and ponder its significance for our lives in the world today in the context of the praying monastic community. The first Christian monastics emerged from the deserts of Egypt in the fourth century. The literature left provides us with a wealth of wisdom for a spiritual life of prayer and love of God. Participants will join in with the undergraduate and graduate students of Pilgrim Theological College from the University of Divinity,

Melbourne, in exploring the wisdom of ancient writers such as Antony the Great, who insisted that “our life is with our neighbour”. The text book will be Desert Christians: An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism, by William Harmless SJ available at www.amazon.com or through the Benedictine Institute for ~$30. Held at New Norcia. Recommended cost: $800. Further info: Dr Carmel Posa SGS, 08 9654 8371, carmel.posa@newnorcia.wa.edu.au.

SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARYMUSIC FOR THE SEASONS OF LENT AND EASTER

This workshop will explore music for the seasons of Lent and Easter. Held on Saturday, 6 February at the Centre for Liturgy, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara, 1 0 . 3 0 a m - 1 2 . 3 0 p m . Registrations are essential. Further info: Centre for Liturgy, www.liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au.

SUNDAY, 7 FEBRUARYDIVINE MERCY

There will be no Divine Mercy devotions in January. The devotions will continue as usual on the first Sunday in February with Fr Johnson speaking on St Jerome Emiliani. The afternoon will be held at St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor St, East Perth from 1.30-3pm. The afternoon includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession, Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Benediction and veneration of a first class relic of St Faustina Kowalska.

Fellowship will follow in the hall. Further info: Julia or June Murphy on 08 9457 7771.

FRIDAY, 12 FEBRUARYTHE 16TH ANNUAL ROSARY PROCESSION FOR OUR LADY OF LOURDES

This procession will take place at Lake Monger on Friday, 12 February. Please gather at the Dodd St carpark for 7pm. As no naked flame is permitted, pen candles will be available for sale. Further info: Mignonne 0478 598 860 or Rosemary 0421 580 783.

SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARYCHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

This workshop prepares and supports those involved in presenting the Good News to children in the best way that they can come to know Jesus. Held on Saturday, 13 February, at the Centre for Liturgy, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara from 10.30am-12.30pm. Registrations essential. Further info and to register: http://liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au.

SONGS FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY

This workshop will present music appropriate for celebrations during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Quotations from the pope’s encyclical, Misericordiae Vultus will be discussed and new songs relating to each quote will be taught. Held in two locations: Centre for Liturgy, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara on Saturday, 13 February from 10.30am-12.30pm; or the Holy Family Catholic

2 EDITION #64 | 14 January 2016

Church, 45 Thelma St, Como on Saturday, 20 February from 10.30am-12.30pm. Registrations essential. Further info and to r e g i s t e r : h t t p : // l i t u r g y.perthcatholic.org.au.

FRIDAY, 26 - SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARYBENEDICTINE EXPERIENCE WEEKENDS

Benedictine spirituality is more readily experienced than defined. Beginning in February, with other weekends available in April, June, August, October and December at the New Norcia Monastery Guesthouse. Beginning with Vespers at 6.30pm on Friday, concluding after lunch on Sunday, the weekend will provide the opportunity to enter fully into the monastic rhythm and balance of prayer, work, Lectio Divina, hospitality, and community life. There will be opportunities to ponder the riches of the scriptures and monastic literature, both in group discussions and personal silence and solitude, bringing from the ‘storeroom, things both new and old.’ Participants are also invited to join the community for silent meals, one of many invitations to listen with the ‘ear of the heart.’ Suggested donation: $250 (for those who can afford it), includes accommodation, meals and entry into the Museum and Art Gallery. Further info and bookings; Guesthouse Manager: 08 9654 8018 or gu e s t h o use @ n ew n o rc ia .wa.edu.au

THURSDAYS, 3 AND 10 MARCHMORAL ISSUES WORKSHOPS ON MARRIAGE; DIVORCE; RE-MARRIAGE & ANNULMENT; SEXUALITY

Two evenings: Thursday, 3 and 10 March, 7pm-9.30pm. Facilitator: Rev Dr Joe

Parkinson STL PhD, Director of LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan St, Glendalough. The two evenings provide opportunities for personal faith formation as it explores moral issues and current Church teaching. All Catholics would benefit from attending this course. The moral issues presented are of particular interest to those involved in the ministry of RCIA. Cost: $20. Further info or to register: Centre for Liturgy 08 9207 3350; rcia.cfl@perthcatholic.org.au.

SATURDAY, 12 MARCHBREAKFAST IN THE GARDENSave the date for the 2016 “Breakfast in the Garden”. Come and join in the fun, meet old friends and make new ones on Saturday, 12 March at 8am. To be held at the Garden Venue, Mary MacKillop Centre, 16 York St, South Perth (St Joseph’s Convent). Cost; $15. All proceeds go to the Mary MacKillop Foundation. BYO chairs, tables, blankets, umbrellas, sun screen and smiles. Further info and to RSVP by 9 March: Laurie Mayne 08 9271 5649, l j m ay n e @ o p t u s n e t . co m .au; or John McCormack 08 9383 2615, johnmccormack@westnet.com.au.

GENERALPOPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARYUniversal prayer intention: “That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice”.

Evangelisation prayer intention: “That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions”.

STAFF CHANGESCongratulat ions to Jamie O’Brien who

has been appointed as the new Archdiocesan Communications Manager and Mark Reidy who has been appointed as the Director of Daydawn Advocacy Centre. Jamie can be contacted at the Communications Office on 08 9220 5900 or via mobile on 0455 099 652 or email at jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au. Mark Reidy can be contacted at DayDawn from 26 January on 08 9218 8035 or via email at mark.reidy@perthcatholic.org.au.

REFLECTIONS ON THE YEAR OF MERCYThe new Archdiocesan Centre of Liturgy website is now available at http://liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au. As part of our initiation process to familiarise you with our new website, we have produced a series of prayer sheets based on the Year of Mercy. These can used for parish and RCIA meetings, reflections before Mass, bulletin inserts for prayer. A new prayer sheet will be available each month.

COME TO THE WATERS OF MERCY PROGRAM FOR 2016A Lenten Small Groups Program, Come to the Waters of Mercy, will be available in January 2016. The program will include: reflections on the Sunday Readings, discussion notes, art and environment suggestions, music for the Lent and Easter seasons, children’s Lent activities, second rite of reconciliation, and universal prayer. Program is offered free to parishes and schools. Download from the Centre for Liturgy website at http://liturgy.perthcatholic.org.au.

ST MARY’S SCHOOL CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

St Mary’s Primary School in Donnybrook is celebrating 100 years on Sunday, 1 May 2016. Save the date in your calendars now. More

information will follow in the next few months.

TRUTH JUSTICE HEALING COUNCILTruth, Justice Healing Council - www.tjhcouncil.org.au.

The Royal Commission - www.tjhcouncilroyalcommission.gov.au.

REFLECTION

ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE: GOD IS LIKE A GOOD SHEPHERD; HE NEVER TIRES TO SEARCH FOR US…… If it is true that our sins distance us from God – that this is our doing and never God’s doing – it is also true that God is like the Good Shepherd in the gospels, who never tires of going in search of us, ready to place us on his shoulders and bring us back – to our true selves, to each other, and to God. It is God’s mercy, which for Pope Francis is intimately connected with God’s compassion, God’s patience and God’s loving kindness, which is at the heart of the Gospel. “Jesus Christ”, he says, “is the face of the Father’s mercy” (MV1).

(Pastoral Letter; Inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, December 2015, Perth)

E-RECORD NEWSLETTER UPDATELocal news from across our parishes, agencies, schools and organisations can be delivered weekly directly to your inbox via the e-Record e-newsletter. It contains the latest news, events and photos from the Archdiocese. Parishes receive a PDF copy of the e-newsletter to print off and distribute for those who don’t have or don’t use email. Subscribe to the e-newsletter by sending details to communications.media@perthcatholic.org.au. Further info: Jamie O’Brien 08 9220 5900.