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Amelia Eefting
Catholic Newspaper of the Sandhurst Diocese Edition 56 • April 2009
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE www.sandpiper.org.au – Story Page 5
CLASS
OF ITS
OWN
Happy: Students join in the celebrations with Principal of Holy Rosary Kevin Messer,
Federal Member for Bendigo Mr Steve Gibbons and Parish Priest Father Joe Taylor.
O’Dee Centre reopens
Heathcote’s Holy Rosary Primary School’s O’Dee Centre
has had a $400,000 refurbishment. – Story Page 5
THE Sandhurst Catholic Education
Office in Bendigo celebrated the official
opening of its new building in
Hargreaves Street on March 26.
The building, which was the former
site of Marist Brothers Bendigo, originally
blessed and opened in 1918, has
been given a new lease of life.
Bishop Joseph Grech blessed the
building in an official ceremony that
gave thanks for the wonderful amenities
while acknowledging the building’s rich
history.
The Catholic Education Office in
Bendigo will provide the diocese with a
purpose-built centre committed to serving
the 54 schools of the Diocese.
Director of Catholic Education Mr
Denis Higgins said the new office was
built to cater for the needs of the staff
group who work there and the community
of Sandhurst that it serves.
“The design of the new office is very
respectful of the past, and of the building’s
design characteristics ... but the
design also has contemporary, creative
design features, which cater for a progressive
and energetic staff group and
organisation,” said Mr Higgins.
The architect has combined modern
design elements within the original
walls of Marist Brothers College and a
striking two-storey extension at the rear
of the building.
The new office is designed to
include space for adult professional
learning and provides meeting and gathering
areas for school and Sandhurst
diocesan community groups.
A highlight of the opening was the
unveiling of the sculpture commissioned
by sculptor Anthony Russo of
Orchard Design.
The design depicts the message
of Jesus Christ as the Source of Life,
entering the story of humanity to reconcile
all things.
The metal and stone elements combine
powerfully in this sacred space in
the heart of the building.
An indigenous garden designed
by Kane Nelson, a local Jaara man,
acknowledged the traditional owners of
the land, the Jaara people, and commits
to ongoing reconciliation.
Deputy Director Ms Phil Billington
said a very important aspect of the new
Catholic Education Office was the celebration
of our Catholic heritage.
“We have been able to express our
commitment to reconciliation with
our Indigenous brothers and sisters, to
express our deep gratitude to the religious
congregations who have served in
Sandhurst and to celebrate our school
communities,” said Ms Billington.
– Story, photos Page 9
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Vision of the Sandhurst Diocese:
That every person’s
heart be inflamed by
the love of God
Pastoral Principles that we share:
We, the people of Sandhurst, will bring to life our
vision through the application of the following
principles that we will observe when we gather:
Faith and tradition will be the bedrock for all
interactions and will be acknowledged when
we come together.
Love of God made present in Jesus Christ and
led by the power of the Holy Spirit will be
the motivating and guiding force in our work and
celebrations.
Aspiring to infl ame with the love of God all those
with whom we come into contact.
Mutual respect for each other by listening,
sharing and supporting one another at
diocesan, parish and individual levels.
Exploring together ways to sustain and
invigorate our diocese at every level so that our
Church is vibrant and fl ourishing in every area.
FLAME will be the channel through which
our Diocesan Vision becomes evident to
those we meet.
DIOCESAN CONTACTS:
Chancery & Diocesan Ministry: 174 McCrae
Street (PO Box 201) Bendigo Vic 3550. Ph: (03) 5441
2544, Fax: (03) 5441 8278, Website: www.sand.
catholic.org.au
Bishop Joe Grech: chancery@sand.catholic.org.au
Director of Liturgy: Denise Braddon,
liturgy@sand.catholic.org.au
Adult Faith Education Coordinator: Lyn Breen,
adultfaith@sand.catholic.org.au
Marriage Tribunal: Judy Browne,
tribunal@sand.catholic.org.au
Youth Ministry Coordinator: Karen Lunney,
youthmin@sand.catholic.org.au, website:
www.sym.org.au/
Pastoral Planning: Paul White,
planning@sand.catholic.org.au Ph: (03) 5821 2633
Bishop’s Secretary & Administration: Carmel Fitt
and Em Lelean chancery@sand.catholic.org.au
Business Manager: Bill Henderson,
fi nance@sand.catholic.org.au
SANDPIPER CONTACTS:
SandPiper Vision Statement: SandPiper aims to
develop a sense of community, linking faith and life
through dialogue.
The Board: Chris Pollard (Chair), Fr Joe Taylor (Vice
Chair), Margaret Brodie, Jeff Holland, Audrey Brown,
Cecilia Merrigan.
The Editorial Team: Fr Joe Taylor, Frank Purcell, Cecilia
Merrigan, Mary Pianta.
Editor: Damian Griffi n.
Address: The SandPiper, C/- The Chancery, PO Box
201, Bendigo, 3552.
Email: sandpiper@chancery.org.au
Phone: (03) 5442 8531 Fax: (03) 5441 8278
Advertising: Email sandpiper@chancery.org.au for an
advertising pack, or call the editor for further information.
Subscriptions: Margaret Brodie,
tambrodi@mcmedia.com.au
Disclaimer: SandPiper is a free newspaper
published monthly (except January) by the Catholic
Diocese of Sandhurst. It is distributed through all
Sandhurst Diocese Catholic schools and parishes.
The views expressed in published articles are not
necessarily those of the Diocese. Every advertisement
is subject to diocesan approval SandPiper may refuse
to accept ads for publication. SandPiper accepts
no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss
due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or
if it appears in a form which is not in accordance
with the instructions received by SandPiper.
Page 2 A word from the Bishop SandPiper – April 2009
Easter: Why did
our Lord rise?
Bishop Joe Grech
Bishop of the Sandhurst
Diocese
This month we celebrate one of the
great feasts in the church’s calendar –
Easter. Easter Sunday is the culmination
of the week that we call “Holy” because
we remember the suffering, Passion, death
and resurrection of Jesus.
Easter Sunday has been a source of hope for
millions of people over the past two thousand
years.
It is the feast that gives constant fresh impetus
for all of us to proclaim that Jesus is the hope
of every person at every age.
It marks an incredible reality that Jesus, who
died on the cross, is no longer dead but he is
alive – encouraging, healing and loving us at this
very moment.
As I was reflecting on these realities, a question
came across my mind: “But why did Jesus
rise? Why make so much fuss about Easter?”
In the first letter that St Paul wrote to the
Christian community of Corinth, a city that is
still thriving today in Greece, he affirms: “In
fact, however, Christ has been raised from the
dead as the first fruits of all who have fallen
asleep” (1 Cor 15:20).
What does it all mean? Those “who have
fallen asleep” refers to those who have died. But
what is the meaning of “first fruits”?
I am a city boy. I have lived most of my life
in the hustle and bustle of city life.
However, now that I have been in the diocese
for eight years, I am getting more in tune
with how our people who work the land feel and
think.
The farmer is very keen to see how the first
fruits of the harvest would turn out.
He or she is very much aware that if the first
produce of the harvest is good then the whole
harvest will be good.
However, if the first fruits do not reveal the
expected promise and do not produce good fruits
then the farmer will be worried because it is an
indication that the whole harvest will not produce
the expected good results.
The first fruits give an indication of what the
whole harvest is going to be like.
What happens to the first fruits will also happen
with the whole harvest.
We can now understand what Paul was trying
to say to the people of Corinth as well as to us.
Jesus is the first fruits.
So what happened to Jesus is going to happen
to all of us.
Jesus died and therefore we are all going to
die.
Yet Jesus did not remain dead. He rose again
and that is precisely what is going to happen to
us.
What a great faith we have been privileged
to embrace.
What a great promise for all of us as followers
of Jesus.
I needed a big healing regarding death.
My father died very young and his death left
me with a terrible hurt and dejection.
It is true I was brought up believing in the
resurrection. However, this belief was only in
the head. My heart could not experience the
reality.
Some twenty years ago I spent some time in
Assisi. About a 20-minute walk down the hill
there is the church of San Damiano.
This church is very significant both for St
Francis as well as for St Clare, the founder of
the Poor Clares.
It was in this church that St Francis felt that
Jesus was calling him to build his church in a
spiritual manner.
It was also in this place that St Clare lived
with her first sisters of the order that she
founded.
Close to this church there is dormitory where
Clare and her sisters slept.
Today, there is a bunch of flowers where
her bed used to be, and on the wall there is a
brass plaque commemorating her death.
I made my way to this place and I prayed
in my heart: “Lord, heal me from this fear of
death. Let me experience the power of your
resurrection”.
As I entered the dormitory I stopped in front
of the bunch of flowers and continued to pray
the same prayer.
All of a sudden I felt surrounded by something
that felt like a big sponge. I was totally
enveloped in peace and total comfort.
I also felt separate from all the other people
who, at that time, were also visiting that place.
Then I heard a voice deep within me saying
these precise words: “Joe, I have taken care
of you over the past forty years and I have not
done a bad job, have I? Do you think that I will
leave you alone at that moment when you need
me most?” I cried a lot that day.
They were tears of joy and relief as a result
of meeting the resurrected Jesus.
However, Jesus rose from the dead not only
to assure us of our own resurrection.
There is also another reason. I have also
often asked.
“Well, yes, Jesus is alive, but what is he
doing now?”
Is he quite comfortably in heaven doing His
own thing or simply twirling his thumbs?
I let St Paul talk about this once again. In
the letter to the Hebrews St Paul shares these
words: “It follows then, that his (Jesus’s) power
to save those who come to God through him is
PARISH SANDPIPER CONTACTS
IF you have a story idea for publication, contact your parish contact
Beechworth
- Linda Murcutt
Benalla
- John Ellis
Bendigo
(Cathedral)
- Angela Allen
Bendigo
(St Kilian's)
- Nora Connell
Bright
- Dorothy
Rosenberg
Cobram
- Leonie Bourke or
Carolyn Cassidy
Cohuna
- Denise Waterson
Corryong
- Sr Pat George
Dookie
- Peter McManus
Eaglehawk
- Jenny Arnott
Echuca
- Peter Kotsiakos
Elmore
- Vacancy
Euroa
- Joan McCormick
Golden Square
- Jack Kelly
Heathcote
- Rita Traynor
Kennington
- Em Lelean
Kerang
- Mary Fallon
Kyabram
- Ruth McGowan
Mooroopna
– Leo Pye
Myrtleford
- Anne Howell
Nagambie
- Julie Price
Nathalia
- Theresa Williams
Numurkah
- Dorothy Farrant
Pyramid Hill
- Marj Hitchcock
Quarry Hill
- Bob Lawrence
Rochester
- Judy O'Connor
Rushworth
- Glen Avard
Rutherglen
- Catherine Ledger
Shepparton
(St Brendan's)
- Paul White and
Sonali
Shepparton
(St Mel's)
- Jacqui Westblade
Tallangatta
- Margaret Kirk
Tatura
- Trish Warnett
Wangaratta
(St Pat's)
- Simone Kerwin
Wangaratta Sth
(Our Lady's)
- Marie McGann
White Hills
- Maureen Symons
Wodonga
- Barry Jackson
Yarrawonga
- Vacancy
absolute, since he lives forever to intercede for
them.” (Heb 7:25).
It expresses the same idea later on in the
same letter: “It is not as though Christ had
entered a man-made sanctuary which was
merely a model of the real one; he entered
heaven itself, so that he now appears in the
presence of God, on our behalf. (Heb 9:24).
In plain English, what Paul is saying is that
Jesus is alive today and that he is constantly
praying for you and me.
Wow!
This is the reason we need to take our faith
seriously and practise it.
In life there are times when things go well
and we feel on top of the world.
There are also those times when we become
more anxious and fearful.
Easter means that Jesus is constantly within
us and protecting us.
So there is no room for panic.
We face what needs to be faced with courage
and perseverance.
We do the best we can in a particular situation.
We consult those who can provide authentic
wisdom and care.
We also surround ourselves with good
friends who will constantly support and encourage
us and, most importantly, to hold steadfast
knowing that our God is walking with us every
single moment.
St Paul had many moments of difficulty. He
suffered physical and emotional stress at times
from those who were closest to him.
However, he never panicked. He kept saying:
“I can do anything in Him (Jesus) who
gives me strength” ( Phil 4:13).
Let us keep repeating this prayer. As believers
in Jesus and in unity with our Christian
community there is absolutely nothing that we
cannot face and overcome.
– Happy Easter
BISHOP’S DIARY
April
1-3 Lenten Sermons in Maltese,
Melbourne
5 Cathedral Mass 11am,
Catechesis 5pm, Mass 6pm
6-12 Teaching sessions with the
Seminarians of the Diocese
6 Chrism Mass Cathedral 11am
and barbecue Genazzano
6 Bible Study 7.30pm at
Cathedral Hall: Passion story in
the Gospel of Mark
9 Easter Thursday Ceremonies
at Cathedral 7:30pm
10 Good Friday Ceremonies at
Cathedral 10:30am Stations of
the Cross and 3:00pm
11 Vigil Easter Mass at Cathedral
8:00pm
12 Easter Sunday Poor Clares
7.30am
12 Easter Sunday at Cathedral
11am
19 Cathedral Mass 11am
20 Feathertop Board of
Management, Wangaratta
25-30 Buenos Aires: Retreat for
Priests and Bishops
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09
SandPiper – April 2009 News
Page 3
Sofield brings
two days of joy
for
hat
ith
ll
me
hin
r-
a-
en-
Inspiring speaker: Br Loughlan Sofi eld.
By Paul White
THE diocese experienced a burst
of joy, wisdom and discovery with
the visit of Br Loughlan Sofield
ST during March 10 and 11.
Through the collaboration of the
Diocesan Ministry Team and Catholic
Education Office we were fortunate
to access this world renowned author
and speaker and made the most of his
time with us.
It has provided us with a wonderful
complement to the liturgical celebrations
and diocesan journey “Called
& Gifted – The Year of Saint Paul”
said Lyn Breen, Director of Adult
Faith Education Sandhurst.
March 10
During the day Br Sofield led
nearly all the clergy of the diocese on
a day of reflection.
He talked on down to earth matters
such as ‘burnout’, anger and forgiveness
as well as spirituality.
Br Sofield had gained many
insights into such areas with a long
background in psychology and has
been working with priests in many
countries around the world.
The work of the day was frequently
punctuated by many stories and
comic situations that had the gathered
clergy at times roaring with laughter.
At other times deeply reflective
and challenged clergy to share their
own insights and journey with their
fellows.
“I would certainly like to get
him back to work with us on a more
extended basis” Fr Chris Reay –
Clergy Life and Ministry.
In the evening Br Sofield travelled
to Wangaratta to speak with
more than 50 members of Parish
Pastoral Councils, School Boards and
Principals.
Many parishes were represented
from Nagambie to Wodonga and in
between. Again he shared his wisdom
about ‘collaborative ministry’ and his
humour.
Many people were moved at the
deeply personal stories that some participants
shared on their experience of
being ministered to.
March 11
In the afternoon Br Sofield worked
with the Senior Leadership Team of
the Catholic Education Office. He
shared his views on the nature of gifts
and led them through a process for
discerning the gifts of an individual.
“It was both humbling and uplifting
at the same time” said Phil Billington.
In the evening the Wangaratta
presentation was repeated for over
80 people with the same joyful and
moving mix of humour and wisdom.
A bus load came from Kyabram parish
and others travelled from Kerang,
Heathcote and Echuca. Marguerita
Goggin from the Quarry Hill parish
considered that Br Sofield “Was the
best speaker she had heard” and she
has experienced many national and
international gatherings and seminars.
It was a very hectic schedule for
this Servant of the Most Holy Trinity
who, although in his seventies, gets a
charge out of his messages and interacting
with people in sharing gifts
and joy.
our-
ast
ery
He
es
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n
ieve
World Day of Prayer
brings faiths together
By Mary Luttgens,
St Patrick’s Parish, Wangaratta
Each year the world Day of Prayer
is prepared by the Christian women
of a specific country – this year
by the Christian women of Papua
New Guinea.
As their symbol, the PNG ladies
chose the cross and the bilum. The
cross – their symbol of Christian
unity, and the bilum, the common
string bag, carried from their head
to hold their everyday needs for living
– illustrated their shared unity of
belief and of the community of heart
and soul across many diverse communities.
The service in Wangaratta this
year was at the Anglican Cathedral
and hosted by the ladies of that parish.
More than 60 ladies attended from
almost all denominations in the city.
In the greetings from the
Governor of Victoria, Professor
David de Krester, he commented the
service brought to our attention the
push to “acquire resources and richness,
often without regard to the fragile
earth on which we live”.
“As we experience an increased
degradation of the earth through
consumerism and continual need for
energy resources, let us pray that the
leaders of all nations should recognize
the vast differences between the
developed and developing world,
as they seek to reach agreements to
manage climate change,” he said.
“Let us pray that the principle of
equity for all should underpin such
discussions.”
The guest speaker for the occasion,
Miss Elsie Manley, spent many
years as an Anglican missionary in
PNG, and has frequently returned
there in the past years.
During her address, Elsie high-
Together in prayer: More than 60 ladies joined in Wodonga for the
World Day of Prayer.
lighted the importance of education
being directed more towards the boys,
when, under opposition, she attempted to
establish a boarding school for girls.
However, her persistence eventually
succeeded. Her efforts were rewarded
by the eventual success of a young lady
training as a nurse and working in PNG.
Some years later, the nurse rang Elsie on
a mobile phone to enquire if Elsie was
troubled by the bushfires – “She’s up
with technology, and I haven’t got one!”
was Elsie’s response.
Later, the nurse moved to Perth and
even visited Wangaratta at a later time.
Elsie concluded with her observation
of how we could parallel this acceptance
of our readiness to possibly welcome
new nationalities into our society today
and befriend newcomers more readily. It
follows on from our motto: “In Christ we
are many members, but one body.”
Services were also held at St John’s
Retirement Village, St Catherine’s
Home, Illoura, and Rangeview Nursing
Homes, both Galen and the Anglican
Colleges and the primary schools of St
Patrick’s, Our Lady’s and St Bernard’s.
FACE OF THE
DIOCESE
This month's Face of the Diocese,
Amelia Eefting, recently
enjoyed making pancakes
during Shrove Tuesday at her
school, St Bernard’s Primary
School, Wangaratta.
THE FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY
April 19, St Joseph’s Church,
Rochester (5484 1073)
Celebrant: Fr Peter Austin PP
1pm Confession
1.10pm Holy rosary
1.30pm Holy Mass
2.30pm Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament until 4.30pm
3pm Sung Chaplet of Divine
Mercy
3.45pm Rosary
4.15pm Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament
4.30pm Veneration of St
Faustina’s first class relic.
• Tea and Coffee will be provided
in the Parish Center
• During Holy Mass, the image of
the Divine Mercy will be blessed
and venerated.
• Several priests will be available
for confession before and after
mass.
STUDY THEOLOGY
Saturday May 16 and Saturday June 20
Serving God’s People Certificate III in Christian
Ministry: Ministry Electives:
Three two-day programs introducing parish
ministries, open to limited numbers of applicants
endorsed by Parish Priests and communities.
Further information available in your local parish.
1. Introduction to Liturgy
2. Working With Young People
3. Grief and Loss
Friday May 22 (eve) to Sunday May 24
Called to the Mountain Top with Mgr Peter Jeffrey
and Br Michael Herry fms.
Feathertop Chalet, Harrietville. You are called to
the mountain top for a time of prayer, interaction,
learning and building community in the Year of St
Paul – Called and Gifted.
BOOKINGS CLOSE - FRIDAY MAY 1
FINAL DAY FOR PAYMENT OF DEPOSIT - FRIDAY
JUNE 1ST.
Brochures and booking forms in parishes or
contact: adultfaith@sand.catholic.org.au

Page 4 News
SandPiper – April 2009 San
FJC’s fun-draising event
FCJ College students
raised $2000 on Friday,
February 13, to assist
those affected by the recent
bushfires.
Year 11 Youth Ministry
students organised the fund
raiser, in which homerooms
raised money to enter teachers
in a dress up parade.
Well-humoured teachers
were donned in wigs,
loud dresses and gloved
feet to parade for students
at lunchtime.
Funds raised were
donated to the St Vincent
de Paul Bushfire Appeal.
Stopping by: Mgr Peter Jeffrey joins
visiting seminarians Rodrigo Da Costa,
Gustavo Criolli, Givoanni Raffaele and
Marte Liitric.
Wandering
seminarians
visit Shepp
FOUR seminarians recently called in to St
Brendan’s in Shepparton on their journey
from Melbourne to Sydney.
The four, two from Perth and two from
Sydney, belonged to the Neo-Catechumenal
Community and were exploring something of
Australia, and very much going wherever the
Spirit guided them.
Giovanni, 23, was originally from Sicily;
Marte, 36, was from Croatia; Gustavo, 33, from
Ecuador and Rodrigo, 20, from Ecuador.
Their stories had a similarity in that they had
experienced an internal emptiness that in their
different ways they had tried to fill with the material
goods of the world.
They each were searching for worth and
meaning to their lives and often it was through
the intervention of family or friends that they
came into contact with the witnessing of the NC
Way.
They found Christ and His message and the
challenge of evangelisation and eventually committed
themselves to the Community.
Each spent some time in the seminary in
Rome before through a random process of selection
they were sent to complete their studies at
one of the two N-C seminaries in Australia.
Upon ordination they will remain attached
to an Australian diocese until the Bishop directs
them otherwise.
Unlike the ‘transportation for life’ of our early
convict settlers, these young men are generously
dedicating their lives to service here in Australia,
far from their families and native homelands.
Giovanni reflected, “When I was young I was
angry that God took my parents away from me to
Church and pilgrimages. But now it is me who is
called far away from my family.”
Some of their observations about the Church
in Australia included that the Church needs more
energy and strength in order to announce the
message of Christ.
“We need to be open and bring them (young
people) to the Church and let them know that
Jesus loves them,” said one, adding that “People
tend to go to Sunday Mass out of habit, but we
need to empower them and allow them to minister
in service to others.”
When asked where they were headed next on
their trip they simply said “We don’t know”.
In good fashion: Teachers and students at FCJ
College raise money for bushfi re victims.
THE Diocese of Sandhurst
is offering a week’s holiday
to families and individuals
living within the diocese
who lost their homes in the
recent bushfires.
In the wake of this overwhelming
tragedy, the diocese
extends a heartfelt invitation
for these families to experience
the beauty and tranquility of
the Feathertop Chalet Holiday
Resort situated at Harrietville,
Victoria.
It is estimated that around
75 families, predominately in
the Bendigo and Beechworth
areas, lost their homes due to
the devastating fires.
The diocese would like
those affected families to
enjoy a holiday in the coming
months while they focus on
rebuilding their properties.
The holiday includes family
accommodation for one
week and meals.
Bishop of Sandhurst,
Coin conga line for fires
EACH class at St
Joseph’s School Cobram
formed a coin
line of donations for
bushfire victims.
The coin lines followed
a prayer service
conducted by Grade 6
students.
Students acted the
story of the bushfires,
illustrating it with
diagrams, maps and
newspaper photographs,
and concluding
with prayers for
those killed or affected
by the fires.
Free holiday for victims
Giving: Free holidays are available for those who lost their homes to bushfi res.
Joseph Grech stressed that the
holiday offer is open to all
families, irrespective of their
religious denomination.
“We are people of hope
and fortitude, our local and
diocesan history shows that
together we can attain much.
It is important that we unite as
a community to support those
who are suffering as a consequence
of the recent fires,”
Bishop Grech said.
“Our thoughts and prayers
are with you at this time and
we invite you to take up this
offer of a week’s holiday.”
The Feathertop Chalet
Resort is operated by the
Sandhurst Diocese and provides
superb accommodation
and recreation facilities at
the foot of Mount Hotham.
Harrietville is a small mountain
village located approximately
20 kilometres beyond
Bright.
Holiday offers may be
Helping hands: St Joseph’s students Britney Knight,
Sophia Sorrenti and Cooper Fitzpatrick add donations to
their class’ coin line on the school’s netball courts.
taken up over the next 12
months and transport can be
provided if necessary.
The diocese hopes that
this holiday opportunity will
enable those who have lost so
much to regroup, replenish and
to simply enjoy time together
as a family.
The Diocese is working
closely with the City
of Greater Bendigo and the
Indigo and Alpine Shires to
ensure that the holiday vouchers
are distributed directly to
the affected families as soon as
possible.
The diocese of Sandhurst
would also like to acknowledge
the incredible work of
our charity organisation, St
Vincent de Paul who work
tirelessly providing welfare
and services to those in need.
For more information please
contact Kevin and Trish Bourke
at the Feathertop Chalet by
phoning 03 5759 2688
Bushfire
recovery
a global
effort
By Damian Griffin
WHEN a sum of Euros arrived in an
envelope for the Sandhurst Diocese’s
Bushfire Response Fund, there was
no longer any doubt that the plight of
Victoria’s bushfire victims was being
felt globally.
The donation was sent from an Italian
religious community called ‘Comunita
dei Figlie Di Dio’ or Community of
God’s children, and was gratefully
received by the Bishop of Sandhurst Joe
Grech.
“It’s terrific, we’re very grateful,”
said Bishop Joe.
“It shows that even though we live
in different parts of the world, it shows
we are family, that we cry together when
we cry, that we laugh together when we
laugh,” he said.
Another significant international
donation also arrived this month, from
the Archbishop of Paderborn, Hans-Josef
Becker.
Paderborn is the Diocese’s sister diocese
in Germany, and the home town of
the Sandhurst Diocese’s founding priest,
Dr Henry Backhaus.
Diocesan Business Manager Bill
Henderson said both donations were
a welcome addition to the Diocese of
Sandhurst’s Bushfire Response Fund,
which had so far distributed more than
$17,500 in aid between the St Vincent de
Paul Society in Bendigo and to the fireaffected
communities in the Myrtleford
and Beechworth parishes.
The Bendigo CentaCare office also
continues to provide counselling services
to those affected by the fires.
Bendigo CentCare Manager Denis
Byrne said CentaCare had received some
funds from the Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs, which would assist
in providing counselling services to those
in need.
“The demand continues, and the
added resources will be helpful in
addressing the waiting list that we have,”
Mr Byrne said.
He said CentaCare had also accepted
an offer from John Garratt Publishing,
who is making a generous donation of
text books to assist counsellors in the
areas of grief and loss, with a special
emphasis on assisting children.
To donate to the Diocesan fund, cheques
should be sent to: The Sandhurst Diocese
Bushfi re Response Fund, PO Box 201
Bendigo, 3550.
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009 SandPiper – April 2009 News
Page 5
to
Prayer for a
slice of life
By Gerri Bodrini
praise and worship of our God
and share fellowship together.
SLICE of Life made a phenomenally
successful intro-
far as Fiji.
Participants came from as
duction into the Sandhurst Graeme and Sally Ward
Diocese on Saturday, February
28.
in Albury and main organ-
– leaders of the Disciples
The Disciples of Jesus isers of the day, invited
Covenant Community joined Roger McWhinney to share
the diocese of Sandhurst a testimony of his work in
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Community.
in conducting the event.
Roger moved from
The day hosted by the Canberra to Melbourne to
Mother of Love Charismatic establish a community there,
Prayer Group, Bendigo, and with great success.
was well attended and finished He spoke of his time
with a beautiful Mass celebrated
by Fr John Leahy at Indonesia. We were very
in Papua New Guinea and
Holy Rosary Church.
privileged to share some of his
“We had time for individual
Prayer Ministry as well, Veronica Smith another
story and experiences.
which is always so precious. It well-known name in the
was a time of spiritual refreshment,
fellowship and healing. her story.
renewal, also shared some of
The aim of the Slice of Veronica’s focus was on
Life day was to minister, support
and inspire participants to God’s vineyard’, targeting the
‘Being a living testimony in
evangelise; come together in need for evangelisation.
Renewed: Anne Denham, Carolyn OShannessey, Lyn Wright, Denise Ilott,
Shirley Southon and Mary McMaster.
“All of us can be a witness
to those around us. Believe
in yourself and most of all
what God can and wants to do
through you,” she said.
The disciples provided
their musical expertise and we
were able to sing God’s praises
with joy and full voice.
Slice of Life will be introduced
in Shepparton in May
and Wangarratta later this
year. This day is an introduction
and lead up to “New Life
in the Spirit’’ weekend.
This was held in Bendigo
on March 28, and will also
be held in Shepparton and
Wangarratta in coming weeks.
For further information or to
register, contact Geri Boldrini
on (02) 6065 2442.
SandPiper
now online
THE SandPiper is now
available online for free, in
full colour.
Readers can now view full
pages online, and navigate
through sections of the paper
with the ease of a mouse click.
SandPiper editor Damian
Griffin said the website was
a huge step forward in promoting
the newspaper’s role
as a communication channel
between the parishes.
Other than viewing the
paper online, the website
will soon allow readers to
subscribe to an online e-news
reminder of current editions,
enter competitions such as the
caption competition, and view
past editions.
Advertisers are also benefiting
from the new website,
as all advertisements are currently
appearing online at no
extra charge.
The website also features
helpful instructions on how to
submit articles and photos.
Visit www.sandpiper.org.au for
full details.
an
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O’Dee Centre’s new look
By Damian Griffin
Mr Gibbons congratulated the ground to safety glass, before the major
Heathcote community for raising
the initial $50,000, and said the Presentation nun Sister Helen
refurbishment began at the end of 2007.
ONE of Heathcote’s most significant
buildings was officially reopened Commonwealth contribution signified Carboon said it was particularly moving
yesterday following a $400,000 refurbishment.
its commitment to schools.
for her to see the building refurbished,
The Holy Rosary Primary School’s
O’Dee Centre has long been an important
centrepiece for the Heathcote community,
but was in such a state of disrepair
that there was recent debate as to
whether the school could afford to save
it.
But after the community rallied to
raise more than $50,000 for essential
repairs, the Commonwealth Government
provided $350,000 to complete the
works.
Federal Member for Bendigo Mr
Steve Gibbons was joined by Parish
Priest Father Joe Taylor and Principal
Kevin Messer in unveiling a plaque to
commemorate the reopening.
The two-storey centre now has a
Fr Taylor then blessed the building
and prayed it would be a place of “fun,
seeking and learning, and teaching what
is true” for the school, parish and community.
Past principal Peter Florence was
instrumental in planning the refurbishment
and in lobbying for the
Commonwealth grant in 2002.
He said it was pleasing to see the
building returned to some of its former
glory.
“It was just neglected … it was all
just falling apart,” he said.
“In 2002 there was talk as to whether
to demolish or refurbish it – there was
bits of brick falling off and windows
falling out.”
He said the money raised by the
as both herself and her mother studied
at the school.
Built in 1926, the building was used
until 1975 to house boarders and as a
convent for the Presentation Order of
nuns at the school.
After a renovation in 1977, it was
renamed the O’Dee Centre in honour
of long-serving Parish Priest Fr Denis
O’Dee, who served in the parish from
1896 to 1936.
For the next eight years it became
an accommodation block for schools
and other groups, accommodating more
than 13,000 people during this time.
In 1985 it was returned to the primary
school and was used as classrooms,
a library, archiving rooms and a staff
room.
refurbished ground floor including community went into essential repairs The upstairs floor of the building
chapel, meeting rooms, kitchen, uniform
shop and toilet facilities.
the windows facing the school play-
continue the refurbishment at this stage. opening and blessing of the O’Dee
such as structural beams and changing remains untouched, with no plans to Blessing: Fr Joe Tayor is assisted by two students at the
Centre.
Providing
counselling
and family
support
services for
couples,
families and
individuals
throughout the
diocese.
ted
,
f
es
ese
including mini-golf.
Appointments/Enquiries phone:
Bendigo 03 5443 9577
Echuca 03 5443 9577
Shepparton 03 5831 4699
Wangaratta 03 5721 2341
Wodonga 02 6056 1861
Wedderburn 02 5494 3798

Page 6 News
Sand Piper – March 2009
Kids get God start
IT’S the spiritual heart of Australia
and, for several moments on
Monday, March 16, it became the
heart of Catholic Church activity.
Three Australian Bishops united
for a Mass in Alice Springs to welcome
Catholic Mission staff from
around the country for the annual
National Conference.
Bishop Eugene Hurley of Darwin,
Bishop Joe Grech of Sandhurst and
Bishop Christopher Saunders of
Broome con-celebrated Mass along
with local and visiting priests to open
the National Conference.
Another special guest at the Mass
was Frank Quinlan from Catholic
Social Services who was visiting
Alice Springs to celebrate the
opening of the new Alice Springs
Catholic Care centre (part of the
CentaCare network).
Members of Our Lady of the
Sacred Heart Parish warmly welcomed
the Bishops, as well as more
than 40 Catholic Mission staff members,
at a barbecue following the
Mass.
Besides sharing Eucharist together,
a number of Catholic Mission
staff climbed to the top of nearby
Anzac Hill to watch the sun set over
Alice Springs.
“Our gathering this week is
about walking the walk, and talking
the talk – ascending to the top of a
hill associated with those who have
given their life was quite a poignant
moment for us involved in mission,”
National Director Martin Teulan
said.
Speaking during the Mass,
Bishop Eugene Hurley said it was a
privilege to be able to celebrate Mass
AT THE sixth annual God-
Start Picnic in the Park, prayer
books were distributed to all
new prep students from St Augustine’s,
Frayne College and
St Monica’s.
The picnic on February 18
at Les Stone Park, Wodonga,
brought students and their families
together to celebrate completing
the GodStart program.
About 30 prep students from
across the three schools attended.
It was also great to have
Fr Dennis and Fr Jake, and
also Joe Quinn, Principal of St
Augustine’s, all attend and mingle
with the children and their
parents.
Sr Paula also gave a welcome
presentation reminding everyone
‘that faith is caught and not
taught’ at an early age.
She also mentioned that what
we do within our families is very
important, before the formal
learning about our faith occurs
within our schools.
Hopefully the GodStart
prayer books will assist families
to pray together so that all of our
children will have the chance to
‘catch faith’.
Gift: Prep children in the GodStart program in Wodonga.
Bishops central to talk
Together: Father Pat Harvey, Catholic Mission Diocesan Director of Melbourne, Christopher
Saunders, Bishop of Broome, Eugene Hurley, Bishop of Darwin, Frank Quinlan, Head of Catholic
Social Services, Joe Grech, Bishop of Sandhurst, Martin Teulan, National Director of Catholic
Mission and Father Tim Norton, Provincial of Divine Word Missionaries.
and spend time with some fellow
Bishops.
Bishop Joe Grech said the energy
and enthusiasm evident during
early sessions, as well as the Mass,
showed that “the mission of the
Church is in good hands”.
“Across the 28 dioceses of
Jubilee for Sr Kearns
Australia, there are many talented
and committed people who are
indeed walking the walk and talking
the talk, by raising funds and engaging
with parishes, schools and businesses
in partnership and witnessing
by their lives to the principles and
values of Jesus.”
A highlight of the national conference
will be a visit to the Santa
Teresa indigenous community.
This is a direct follow-on from last
year’s conference, also held in Alice
Springs, which saw Catholic Mission
staff interact with members of local
indigenous communities.
Wodonga
history
unearthed
... again
THE Mercy Sisters came to Wodonga
on February 6, 1892 and the
following year built the convent that
served the nuns until relatively recently.
Since the Mercy order no longer staff
Saint Augustine’s Primary School, the
convent is being remodelled to become
the Priests’ residence.
When completing structural work
for the renovations, the building firm
unearthed a time capsule with information
dating back to the original construction
in 1893.
This time capsule included copies of
The Wodonga and Towong Sentinel, the
Albury Daily News, the Albury Banner,
and the Albury Border Post.
In addition to the newspapers, the
capsule included medals, coins (vintage
1893 and earlier), and a Gordon and
Gordon Tender Sheet, all in a glass jar
which had been buried behind the foundation
stone of the former convent.
The Grade 6 students from adjoining
St Augustine’s Primary School were
intrigued with the contents.
A student, Rhiannon Eckert said “It’s
like you’ve uncovered something from
the dinosaur age, because we’ve never
been there before.
It turns out that this was history
repeating itself as the time capsule had
previously been discovered in 1958
when extensions were being added to
the Convent of Mercy.
Two of the 1958 building team were
present when the time capsule was rediscovered.
Steve Tinta (70) and Norm
O’Neill (87) remember discovering the
1893 capsule when they were removing
some foundations and came across the
capsule of which none of the sisters at
the time were aware.
The Mother Superior at the time,
Mother Adrian, said that she had gone
to school at the convent, but during the
whole of her long association with the
school and convent, no one had known
about the jar under the foundation
stone.
The nuns added some 1958 items to
the contents of the capsule and it was
reburied.
The 1893 and 1958 time capsule will
be reburied when the conversion into the
Priest’s residence is complete.
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ON Sunday January 18, the parishioners
of St Mary’s Nathalia and
St Michael’s Barmah, celebrated
the Golden Jubilee of Sister Violet
Kearns RSM with a Mass celebrated
by Father Michael Pullar.
The Mass responses were being sung
along with specially chosen hymns, prepared
and sung by Damian and Diane
Daniel and family.
The Parish Council and men and
women of the Parish organised a morning
tea after Mass, in the cool shade of
the trees between the Convent and the
Church.
The ladies supplied plates of delicious
morning tea enjoyed by one and
all.
The happy faces and chatter were
evidence of appreciation and enjoyment
of the occasion.
Sr Violet’s 50 years were acknowledged
by the President of the Parish
Council, Paul Congues, with a presentation.
Paul mentioned, Sr Violet’s contribution
to Catholic Education in the
Sandhurst Diocese, including teaching
at St John’s Euroa, Principal at
St Joseph’s Quarry Hill, and Pastoral
Assistant at St Mel’s South Shepparton.
Sr Violet’s also taught in the Ballarat
Diocese, and was Principal at St Mary’s
Colac, with Colac being her home town.
Other appointments were in the
Melbourne archdiocese.
When appointed to Nathalia, Sr
Kearns’ ministry was home visiting for
St Mary of the Angels College.
Sr Kearns is currently a member of
the Parish Council and is Secretary of
St Mary’s St Vincent de Paul Society,
and does pastoral work in the parish.

009 SandPiper – April 2009 News
Page 7
>> JUST NEWS
Pope’s message
one of peace
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By the Diocesan Social Justice
Committee
EACH year since 1968, the Pope
delivers a World Day of Peace
Message to Christians and all
people of the world.
The theme of Benedict XVI’s
2009 Message for Peace is Fighting
Poverty to Build Peace.
The World Day of Peace
Message for 2009 deals with
the challenge that world poverty
presents to the developed world.
The growing gap between rich
and poor is a problem that the conscience
of humanity cannot ignore
and the roots of poverty lie in ‘a
lack of respect for the transcendent
dignity of the human person’.
Material poverty, Pope Benedict
emphasises, is not the only form of
poverty.
There are also nonmaterial
forms of poverty that do not arise
from material deprivation.
For example, in advanced
wealthy societies, there is evidence
of marginalisation, as well as affective,
moral and spiritual poverty.
The contrast is between what
is known as ‘moral underdevelopment’
on the one hand and, on the
other, the negative consequences of
‘superdevelopment’.
Children
When poverty strikes a family,
the children prove to be the most
vulnerable victims: almost half of
those living in absolute poverty
today are children.
Taking the side of children, the
Pope says, means giving priority
to the issues that affect them most
directly … caring for mothers,
commitment to education, access to
vaccines, medical care and drinking
water, safeguarding the environment,
and above all, commitment
to defence of the family and the
stability of relations within it.
Disarmament and
development
A major contributor to world
poverty is military expenditure,
which has diverted resources from
development projects, especially
for those who need aid most.
This state of affairs does nothing
to promote, and indeed seriously
impedes, attainment of the
ambitious development targets of
the international community.
What is more, an excessive
increase in military expenditure
risks accelerating the arms race,
producing pockets of underdevelopment
and desperation, so that it
can paradoxically become a cause
of instability, tension and conflict.
Instead of pouring more and
more money into the development
and production of weapons of
mass destruction, the nations of the
world are encouraged to ‘reflect
seriously on the underlying reasons
for conflicts, often provoked by
injustice, and to practice courageous
self-criticism’.
He says that the possibility of
improved international relations
promises reduced expenditure in
arms.
The resources saved could then
be earmarked for development
projects to assist the poorest and
most needy individuals and peoples:
efforts expended in this way
would be efforts for peace within
the human family.
Option for the poor
We need to reconsider our attitude
to the poor.
As Pope John Paul II pointed
out, they are not ‘irksome intruders
trying to consume what others have
produced’.
It is increasingly evident that
peace can be built only if everyone
is assured the possibility of
reasonable growth: sooner or later,
the distortions produced by unjust
systems have to be paid for by
everyone.
The Pope reminds us of the
Church’s continuing call for a
‘preferential love for the poor’.
He reminds us of Christ’s words
to the Disciples: ‘Give them something
to eat yourselves’ (Lk 9:13).
The Church’s fight against
poverty continues through acts
of ‘creative solidarity’, not only
through ‘giving of one’s surplus’
but above all, in the words of Pope
John XXIII, by a change of lifestyles,
of models of production and
consumption, and of the established
structures of power which today
govern societies.
Taken from the ACSJC Discussion
Guide on the Papal Message available
at www.socialjustice.catholic.
org.au)
Eye-opener: Deanery Priests and Parish Reps join to hear Evan Ellis speak of his time in India.
India’s injustices
exposed in visit
EACH year, during Project Compassion,
Sandhurst is privileged to host
a Caritas Australia Lenten Visitor.
This year our Lenten Visitor was a
little different - not from overseas, but
from Caritas’ National Office in Sydney,
a young man of 24, Evan Ellis.
Having studied Media at Sydney
University, Evan started at Caritas as
World Youth Day Coordinator and continues
in a ‘Special Projects’ role.
Accompanied by Diocesan
Director, Fr Rom Hayes, and Diocesan
Coordinator, Kerry Stone, Evan spent a
week travelling throughout the Diocese
visiting our 10 Catholic Secondary
Colleges.
Evan spoke to more than 4000 secondary
students, in 15 separate presentations,
addressing large groups, sometimes
up to 300 at a time.
Evan is exceptionally articulate and
a wonderful model of a young person
immersed in and committed to the principles
of Catholic Social Teaching.
He began at each school by reminding
students that the word Catholic
means ‘universal’ so Catholic schools
should be universal/global schools –
aware of our world and the interconnectedness
of world issues.
He went on to stress the importance
of the ‘social’ aspect of social justice.
The immensity of statistics can leave us
feeling, ‘What can one person do?’ and
yet acting together we can make a real
difference.
He then shared his recent experience
travelling to India on a Caritas exposure
trip with students from Notre Dame
University.
Evan discovered that in Jharkhand
State in India, where 80 per cent of
rain falls during the monsoon season, a
‘check’ dam really means life.
“In a region with such
high suicide rates
among farmers, the
check dam is as much
about hope as it is
concrete pylons and
water.”
“The check dam cups the monsoon
rain and stores it for irrigation during
the long, hot dry months when crops
would normally fail. This in turn gives
food and income during the lean times,
which cuts out the need for money lenders
and their unpayable debts.” he said.
He said that according to an Indian
Government statistic, one Indian farmer
takes his own life every 30 seconds.
“In a region with such high suicide
rates among farmers, the check dam is
as much about hope as it is concrete
pylons and water.”
Evan said that the immersion experience
made him reflect on his own life.
“I was alarmed at how quickly I
adjusted back to life. I discovered that
you have to choose to change.
“I guess I was naive in thinking that
people would just have to look at poverty
and are immediately changed and
will consistently do the right thing but
you still have to choose.
“I was so proud of the work of
Caritas Australia. I was proud of where
I have directed my labour.”
Evan explained in his many talks the
cause of his pride is the development
approach taken by Caritas, which begins
with listening to the village community
identify its problems and then enabling
them to bring about the solutions.
In this instance that meant the people
building the dams and laying the pipes.
Being architects of their own progress
means people’s dignity is paramount
rather than being diminished by having
other people come in and do things for
them.
He spoke repeatedly of his personal
understanding of Catholic Social
Teaching and how it is the philosophy
and lived action of Caritas, and also of
his own motivation in working for justice.
For more information on the work of
Caritas Australia or to contribute to
Project Compassion visit www.caritas.
org.au
Rozlyn Kelly
Roz’s new move in Youth Ministry
ROZLYN Kelly from St
Brendan’s parish Shepparton,
recently started in a youth
ministry role based in Melbourne.
Roz is a St Vincent de Paul
Society Collefe and Youth
Assistant, working with members
of Vinnies school groups and
young adult Conferences across
Victoria.
Roz has had experience in
youth ministry, event management
and volunteering.
She was a member of the
youth ministry team based in
Shepparton and worked with
other students and adult parishioners
to create youth ministry
events locally.
The end of school saw Roz
and other key members leave
the area for further study, and
adult members of the team begin
to work on World Youth Day
preparation.
World Youth Day Cologne
(2005) was a turning point for
Roz, when she began to see the
connection between faith and
social justice.
She attended the WYD in
Sydney as well, but it was her
first WYD that really made a
life-changing impression.
The second reaffirmed it, and
cemented her desire to work with
young people in a Catholic setting.
Roz has a strong sense of
wanting to help people.
She’s been active in her
school “Seeds of Justice” group
and the Notre Dame College
Vinnies College Conference,
and was a regular on the trips
to Melbourne on the Mathew
Talbot Soup Van, serving soup to
those who live on the streets.
After school she commenced
a social work degree in Bendigo,
but discovered that this was not
the path that God wanted her to
take.
She felt called to be involved
in active ministry, rather than
just hitting the books, and so
started looking for more hands
on ministry that she could get
into straight away.
She plans to supplement her
practical work undertaking studies
in youth ministry now and in
the future.
Being involved in the Vinnies
group while at Notre Dame
College, she has developed a
strong understanding of St
Vincent de Paul, its ethos and its
works.
She says she is passionate
about working to assist the volunteers
in achieving the Society’s
mission.
The move to Melbourne
in daunting for the girl from
Wunghnu; however, she is looking
forward to the challenges of
her new role.

Page 8 Schools
SandPiper – April 2009
San
Stretch: Alaina, Chloe and James line up their coins.
Lining up to help
CHILDREN at Sacred Heart
Primary School in Yarrawonga
have been very busy during
Lent raising not only money to
support Project Compassion,
but also raising awareness of
the work of Caritas and the
plight of less fortunate people
overseas who suffer both poverty
and injustice.
The students undertook various
activities during Lent including
a lunchtime disco, dress-up
for St Patrick’s day, pancake and
icy pole day and creating a fivecent
line and covering the letters
of the word “CARITAS” with
coins, to raise money for Project
Compassion.
Altogether, the coins stretched
more than 80m long and raised
$198.
Philosophy taught online
for Marian students
FIVE Junior School students
at Marian College are
currently enrolled in an online
philosophy class with
distance education.
The course is designed specifically
for young learners.
Students who are engaged
in the course are enjoying the
challenge of this new area of
learning plus the interesting
web site used for the delivery
of the course.
Mr Tony Cuskelly oversees
the students who are completing
this course in addition to
their regular studies.
The course was made available
to all junior students.
Five students Isaac
Yagmoor, Bree Villella, Ben
Bennett, Ellen de Vries and
Stephanie Campbell expressed
an interest and are now happily
engaged in the course.
Online study: Bree Villella and Stephanie Campbell enjoy their on-line
study of philosophy.
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Leaders named at St Joseph’s
Harold drops
in to visit
Sacred Heart
St Joseph’s Cobram Student Council Leadership Group: (Back) Samuel Nielsen, Michael Connolly, Carmelo
Bovalino, Wellbeing Offi cer Anthony Brophy, Georgia Papalia, Caitlin Hardbottle, Georgia McKay (Front) Gabriel
Colgan-Zito, Shayla Attana, Liam Eddy, Shelley Adams, Kayla Damore Absent: Benjamin Zito. School Wellbeing
Offi cer Anthony Brophy works at Catholic primary schools in Cobram, Numurkah and Nathalia. He is funded by the
Federal Government under the National Schools Chaplaincy Program. Mr Brophy will run a program for the student
group, teaching them leadership skills.
Year begins with a new theme
Opening Mass: Students act out the Gospel.
By Chris Summers
St Brendan’s Shepparton
ST Brendan’s opening school
Mass was held on February 20.
It was a great opportunity to
bless our many new staff members
and commission our Student
Leadership Team for 2009.
It was also a great opportunity
to celebrate and reveal our theme
for the year: “Our School, Our
Family, One World of Love”.
The new St Brendan’s school
banner perfectly symbolizes what
this message hopes to achieve.
As a school St Brendan’s is one
family building a better world of
love.
With the many different family
photos represented on our banner,
it is clear to see the diversity we
have at St Brendan’s and with this
diversity brings unity.
It is symbolic in it’s meaning
and encompasses our school vision
and mission.
Thank-you to the many people
who contributed to making our
opening Mass a success, especially
Leanne Pellegrino who helped
organise the banner and to Mark
Almond for supplying the artist
flare to bring it all together.
Thanks also to Mgr Peter for his
ongoing support as Parish Priest.
Visiting: Harold with Program Educator
Heather Cummins and students Felicity
Thomas, Caitlyn Whitelock and Haydin
Mathieson
Last month saw the Students at Sacred Heart
Primary School in Yarrawonga welcome
Healthy Harold and the Life Education van to
their school.
The North East Life Education van is based in
Wangaratta and visits more than 10,000 primary
school children throughout the year from Corryong
in the north east, to Marysville and from Kilmore in
the south and across to Yarrawonga.
The highly skilled educators assist students to
acquire age appropriate knowledge to support
informed health choices; develop and practice skills
and strategies to act upon individual decisions and
to recognise the values and attitudes that may influence
lifestyle choices and behaviour.
The educators work with the schools they visit to
develop programs or sessions to support the provision
of health, safety and drug education within the
school.
While at Sacred Heart, every child had an opportunity
to visit the van and experience a session with
one of the educators and enjoy meeting “Healthy
Harold” the giraffe, who is the van mascot.
In fu
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“I S
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Mas
Kya
W
unbe
befor
recor

009 SandPiper – April 2009 Schools
Page 9
CEO opens
new office
– From Page 1
“The heart of our mission in
Catholic Education is expressed in
the outstanding sculpture of Jesus
Christ as our Source of Life, which
permeates the entrance of the office.
“We are delighted with the completed
project as it expresses our
commitment to Believe! Imagine!
and Serve! the parents, students and
school communities of the Diocese,”
Ms Billington said.
CEO Staff gathered with Bishop
Grech, Parish Priests, school principals,
School Board Chairpersons,
retired CEO staff members and special
guests from across the diocese to
commemorate this important occasion.
Distinguished guests will include
Bishop Tim Costelloe, Auxiliary
Bishop of Melbourne who is the
dinner speaker in the evening
and Commonwealth Productivity
Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald,
who is the keynote speaker at the
Leaders Gathering of Priests,
Principals and School Board
Chairpersons the following day.
Blessing and opening: The CEO’s new offi ces are offi cially opened by Bishop Joe Grech.
ne
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In full voice: Prep students sing during St Augustine’s opening school Mass.
St Augustine’s sing their
way into new school year
“I SHOULD have brought a
jacket” was the common response
instead of ‘sauce please’,
during a February 11 barbecue
following the opening school
Mass at St Augustine’s College,
Kyabram.
With temperatures soaring to
unbelievable heights only the week
before, some that had never been
recorded before in history, it was an
unexpected but welcome change.
The Mass begun with a special
song from the 2009 Preps, which
was lead by Parish Priest Fr Michael
Morley, for a large congregation.
Victims of the fires were remembered
and prayed for; both for those
directly and indirectly touched by
this tragedy.
The fireies that worked day and
night, were also in the thoughts of
those who attended.
Mr Brendan Lane accompanied
a number of very talented St
Augustine’s students whose voices
rang out to every corner of church,
on guitar, encouraging the rest of
the congregation to sing along.
It was wonderful to see the
number of students and parents in
attendance and our thanks go to the
volunteers who manned the barbecue
and serving tables.
Who’s hungry?: Lucas O’Callaghan
(inset) gets stuck in during breakfast to
mark Shrove Tuesday St Bernard’s.
NO ONE went hungry at St Bernard’s
Primary School, Wangaratta
when kids cooked up a storm of
pancakes for breakfast to celebrate
Shrove Tuesday.
The community of St Bernard’s
gathered to celebrate Pancake
Tuesday before school on February
24.
A large turn out of parents and
students arrived to feast on a delicious
pancake breakfast cooked by
the teachers and served by members
of the Grade 6 Social Justice team.
Pancake Tuesday marked the
beginning of a major fundraising
period for CARITAS Australia,
an International Catholic Aid &
Development Organisation, which
works with the poorest of communities
throughout the world.
Children brought in a gold coin
donation and overall $590 was raised
to contribute to CARITAS.
A fantastic effort, and certainly a
wonderful, community-spirit filled
way to start the day!
Also in support of CARITAS, students
in the Grade 3/4 area recently
learnt of CARITAS’ work with the
people of Uganda.
Following this, the children made
Tippy Taps.
These are simple taps made of
sticks, rope and an empty 3-litre
milk carton similar to those used in
Uganda.
Creating these taps in Uganda has
reduced the incidence of easily preventable
disease through easy access
to hand washing water.

Page 10 SandPiper – April 2009
Teams gather in Rome
By Joan and John Freeman
Cathedral Parish
IN late January Joan and John
Freeman and Mgr Frank Marriott
attended the second International
Gathering of Regional Responsible
Couples for Teams, a movement
for married spirituality at the
‘Il Carmelo’ Retreat Centre near
Rome.
Joan and John are the current
Regional Responsible Couple for the
Vic West Region, which includes the
western half of the state and all areas
within the Diocese of Sandhurst,
and Mgr Marriott is the Spiritual
Counsellor to the Oceania Team that
is responsible for all teams within
Australia, New Zealand and the
Philippines,
The gathering was attended by
350 international representative of the
teams movement from many parts of
the world and commenced with an
opening Mass with Cardinal Tarcisio
Bartone, the Vatican Secretary of
State as the principal celebrant.
The presentations were mostly
delivered by members of the movement
in their native language, which
included English, French, Portuguese,
Italian, German and Spanish, and
were translated simultaneously
through interpreters.
Following each of the presentations
participants divided into small
workshop groups.
The format of these groups was in
keeping with the general structure of
the Teams Movement which consists
of about five couples and a spiritual
counsellor who gather monthly in
each others homes for a simple meal,
prayer and discussion.
The groups demonstrated the
internationality of the movement as
they comprised couples from several
Shared experience: Mons Marriott, Joan and John Freeman at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
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different countries.
“Attending the gathering was an
excellent opportunity for all those in
leadership roles to share experiences
and stories with other members of the
international ‘Teams Family,” John
said.
“It was also inspiring to witness
how the movement is growing, especially
in Africa and Latin American
countries.
“Other highlights included a public
audience with Pope Benedict XV1,
and after the conclusion of the gathering
several members of the Australian
delegation attended a lunch hosted by
Australia’s first resident ambassador
to the Holy See Tim Fischer just prior
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SP_Feb09.indd 1
to officially taking on his role.”
Teams, is an international movement
recognised by the Pontifical
Council of the Laity, encourages couples
to develop their married spirituality.
A teams consists of about five
couples who gather monthly to share
a simple meal,
There are currently 10,433 teams
in the worldwide movement comprising
54,066 couples and 117,900
members. In the Oceania region there
are 180 Teams.
For information about the Teams
Movement contact Joan and John
Freeman on (03) 5448 4091.
23/1/09 11:05:21 AM
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SandPiper – April 2009 Page 11
>> THE YEAR OF ST PAUL
The road
to Corinth
with Paul
0
ere
s
hn
This month, we look at Paul's
journey to take the Gospels to the
Corinthian community
The Corinthians
The final kilometres of road
between Athens and Corinth,
travelled by Paul,
Timothy and Silas, featured steep
rocky hills plunging to narrow
white beaches and bays. The way
was often narrow.
Bandits waited for travellers.
Stories of ancient Greek heroes and
gods abounded in this region.
A land bridge, with ports either
side, connected Southern Greek
regions (Archaia) with the North.
Today boats and ships travel from
one port to the other through a canal.
In Paul’s time, boats, ships and loads
were pulled across by pack animals
and human beings, helped by a clever
system of rollers.
Corinth was a large port city dominated
by, Acocorinth, a hilltop citadel.
The streets followed a grid pattern
around a large market place, public
baths, an amphitheatre seating 14,000
and a temple to the god, Apollo.
Hundreds of small stone walled
shops lined the streets.
Corinth was a competitive, multicultural
trading city where many
achieved wealth through hard work.
Visitors came in hope of work, or to
attend religious or sporting festivals.
Even freed slaves could do well,
but they rarely achieved the status of
the free born.
Everyone sought ‘Success’, but as
illustrated by the legend of Sysiphus,
success was a temporary illusion:
Sysiphus was condemned to roll a
stone up a mountain, but it slipped
away each time he was near the top!
After leaving Thessalonica
(Northern Greece), Paul journeyed
South to Athens and on to Corinth.
There, he met Prisca (Priscilla) and
Aquila, a married couple, freed
Historical: The ancient city of Corinth.
slaves, tent makers and fellow Jewish
Christians, who had fled persecution
in Rome.
This couple helped Paul with the
work of the Gospel as well as assisting
him to make a living. Paul stayed
for about two years.
A vibrant Christian community
was established (Acts 18:1-1, 24-28).
When Paul wrote to Corinth from
Ephesus, the Corinthian community
may have included 40 to 50 mostly
gentile (non-Jewish), members.
They included slaves and free,
men and women, wealthy and poor,
and well and poorly educated members.
Among them were; Prisca
(Priscilla), Aquila, Stephanus and
his household (1 Cor 16:15), Crispus
(Acts 18:8), Gaius (Rom 16:23),
Erastus (Rm 16:23), Sosthenes,
Titius, Justus, Achaicus, Fortunatus,
Lucius, Quartus. Phoebe, who welcomed
believers in her own house,
was the deaconess of a community at
nearby Cenchrae (Rm 16:1-2).
Paul, Prisca and Aquila went on
to Ephesus, leaving Corinth in the
charge of local leaders.
News arrived of divisions and
problems among the Corinthians,
who had not fully understood or
accepted the meaning of life in
Christ, alive with the Spirit.
Some thought that Gospel freedom
meant, ‘Do what you like!’
Others let poorer brothers and sisters
go hungry while they feasted when
gathered for Eucharist.
There was disunity on many levels
and other problems as well. We
have two of Paul’s letters in response.
Much of his message is summed up in
these words: “Love is patient; love is
kind; love is not envious or boastful or
arrogant or rude … it bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.”(1 Cor 13:4,7)
Prepared by: Adult Faith Education
Sandhurst, PO Box 201, Bendigo,
3552. Email: adultfaith@sand.
catholic.org.au. Imprimatur: Most
Rev Joseph A Grech Bishop of the
Diocese of Sandhurst
Following the footsteps of a saint
M
Travelling to Corinth
was a rewarding
experience writes
John Wells
It is July 4, 2007, and we are traveling west
from Athens to the site of ancient Corinth
on a Sandhurst Diocesan pilgrimage Pathways
of St Paul.
We are three days into the trip and this is the
first of the sites we will visit after leaving the
grand metropolis of Athens.
Three days into the trip and this is the first
of the sites we will visit after leaving the grand
metropolis of Athens.
We stop at the Corinth Canal, which provides
a waterway between the Gulf of Corinth and the
Saronic Gulf.
The canal is six-kilometres long and cuts
through the narrow strip of land that connects the
peninsula of Peloponnesus with the rest of the
Greek mainland.
Two thousand years ago the smaller ships and
boats were hauled up one side and slid down the
other, the larger ships unloaded on one side and
their produce reloaded on to ships on the other
side.
This was a saving of 300 kilometres of dangerous
sea travel.
We travel on a short distance to the town
of Corinth situated on a rise just above the
Corinthian Sea.
The ancient site butts onto the modern town
and is their major tourist attraction.
A short history, by 750 BC Corinth had
become one of the wealthiest cities of ancient
Greece.
The Romans destroyed it in 146 BC but later
Moving: Mgr Peter Jeffery celebrates Mass beneath the trees in Corinth.
rebuilt it by order of Julius Caesar in 44 BC
this city then became the capital of the Roman
Province of Achaea.
The site area is roughly 500-metres by
400-metres and we walk between the theatre and
town site to the museum.
Our guide gives us a comprehensive talk on
the ancient city, its peoples and the importance
as a trading port.
The museum display was very good.
Further south only a few kilometres is the
acropopis, a very steep rocky hill with sparse
vegetation.
There is no doubt that Corinth in the first
century AD was a wild town, so when St Paul
came in about 50 AD he was taking on a real
challenge.
On arrival in Corinth, Paul was assisted
by a married couple, Aquila and Priscilla who
became great companions. Aquila was also a
tent maker and he and Paul doubtless had plenty
of custom in the repair of sails for the ships in
port.
We moved on to the site and the day being
hot, selected spot under the trees for our Mass.
Mgr Peter Jeffery started off our celebration
with an oration of where we are, where we have
come from and how it would have been for St
Paul all those years ago.
He then went on to the readings that had
been selected for the day taken from Paul to the
Corinthians.
A second group of tourists joined us for the
Mass.
We then had time to explore the ancient city,
the streets are still easy to see, the buildings
mostly range from one or two stones above the
ground foundations to walls 10 stones high some
with arches still in tact.
The temple of Apollo has six pillars standing
about twelve metres high with huge stones
across the top.
All the main buildings have a plaque or were
easily picked out from the site map.
We stood on the same spot as St Paul when
he was brought before the Roman consul Gallio
accused of “influencing people to worship God
in ways that are against the Roman law.”
Gallio listened, announced he was perfectly
familiar with the law and in this case there is
nothing to concern the law.
The verdict delighted the many assembled
Gentiles who promptly beat up the Jewish advocate.
We walked on smooth stone roads that people
have walked on for over two thousand years and
wondered what it would have been like to be in
Corinth at the time of St Paul.
Walking along Lechaeum Road, the main
road into the city, out the main entrance we
entered into the modern town. Had lunch on a
café balcony overlooking the Corinthian Sea.
That afternoon we drove on westward
to Patras, steep bare hills to our left and the
Corinthian Sea to our right.
In the port of Patras there was a row of car
ferries and while we dined that night they all
sailed off to the islands on the west coast of
Greece and to Italy.
The once busy port of ancient Corinth had
moved 170 kilometres westward.

Page 12 SandPiper – April 2009
Harmony Day puts
students in a spin
San
S>>
in Shepparton
By Chris Summers
St Brendan’s, Shepparton
ENTERTAINING, fun, inclusive, surprising
and overwhelmingly supported by our school
community are ways to describe Harmony
Day on March 18.
It was one of those days when you realise
that, as teachers, we can and do have a profound
impact on the students we teach.
It was also one of those days when you
remember why you became a teacher in the first
place; to be able to pass on common values of tolerance,
love and respect for all people regardless
of their cultural background.
This is something we work hard to promote
at St Brendan’s, and Harmony Day was a shining
example of how well we do this.
Our day started with a special prayer focus
on what it means to live in harmony and why we
need to be inclusive of all people.
Our school choir sang the song Heal the
World by Michael Jackson while the film clip
played in the background. It was a great way to
get the children enthused and to focus on what
Harmony Day is all about.
Pramila Santhakumar, a parent from our
school, was our special guest speaker.
Pramila did a wonderful job describing to
the children her cultural background and shared
with us her experience of moving from India to
Australia.
Pramila also brought in traditional dresses
to show and Miss Payne-Crosten and Miss
Wuppermann needed no encouragement when
asked to parade these for the whole school.
After our ‘Bollywood’ style fashion parade,
we had special singing and dancing performances
from some of our very talented African children.
I was able to coax Monga Maulidi back from
Notre Dame to team up with his sister Fitina, who
played keyboards, and together they performed a
song from their Angel Voices repertoire.
Next, we had the ‘Lulurhe brothers’, Monkwa,
Abraham, Eilia and Joshua who performed a hiphop
dance routine that pretty much proved why I
never try to bust a move on the dance floor.
These boys make it look so easy.
Talk about making hip-hop dancing look easy,
our special guest artist Jay Jamero (JJ) and his
dance group the ‘Jigsaw Sneakers’ were definitely
the highlight of my day, and I suspect for many
of our students.
Although young, these guys are acclaimed
hip-hop and free-style dancers from Melbourne
and have won many competitions for their improvised
dance moves – even more reason why I
often ‘watch’ rather than ‘do’ when it comes to
dancing in public.
JJ and his team were very generous with their
time and energy and managed to show us some of
the basics when it comes to ‘Hip-Hop’ dancing.
Lee Mohataj, a Chinese acrobat with over 30
years experience, also entertained us with her
unbelievable flexibility, coordination and plate
spinning.
Lee spun, threw and balanced a wide variety
of household plates (a skill St Brendan’s will
take no responsibility of if plates mysteriously go
missing at home) and showed the children how to
spin a ‘diabolo’, a type of Chinese juggling toy.
Her enthusiasm and obvious skills were well
accepted by all.
Star
St
ha
fo
po
O’
DEEPLY saddened by the crisis engulfing Christianity
in the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI has asked the
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to
provide urgent help.
In many parts of the land Our Lord Jesus Christ knew
so well, the faithful now live in fear as increasing
poverty and growing extremism threaten the survival
of these ancient communities.
A mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East is
now taking place. For some it is a question of escaping
bloody persecution. In the Holy Land for example, the
proportion of Christians has plummeted from 20% to
as little as 1.4% in the last 40 years.
ACN is helping to keep faith and hope alive
throughout the region by providing urgent aid to
priests, religious and lay people, offering subsistence
help to refugees and building and repairing Churches
and convents. Please help us strengthen and rebuild
the Church in the land of Christ’s birth.
A beautiful, olive wood crucifix, handcrafted in
Bethlehem, will be sent to all those who give a
donation of $20.00 or more to help this campaign.
Please tick the box below if you like to receive the
little olive wood crucifix*.
Donation Form: SOS! – Christianity in the Middle East
Aid to the Church in Need, PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148
Phone/Fax No: (02) 9679-1929 E-mail: info@aidtochurch.org Web: www.aidtochurch.org
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE
Mr/Mrs/Ms/Sr/Rev:…....................……..............
Address: ………………............….......................
….……..……....................Postcode .…..…….…
Phone.................. Email .......................................
I/We enclose $………… to help keep
Christianity Alive in the Middle East.
Yes please send me the little olive wood crucifix*
I enclose a cheque/money order payable to Aid to the
Church in Need. OR please debit my Visa or Mastercard:
Exp. date:…./…..
“ … Churches in
the Middle East are
threatened in their
very existence…
May God grant ACN
strength to help
wherever the need
is greatest.”
Pope Benedict XVI
Signature:.............................................................
Made of olive wood from the Holy Land, this
small crucifix is powerfully evocative of Christ’s
passion and death. The crucifixes are lovingly
handcrafted by poverty stricken families in
Bethlehem and your donation helps them survive.
Comes in a display box with accompanying
religious image. (Size 12cm x 7cm).
PG514
Top performer: Lee Mohataj, a chinese acrobat, performs at St Brendan’s.
Caring at a time of need
151 McCrae Street Bendigo
12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk
P. 5441 5577
www.williamfarmer.com.au
A tradition that continues...
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009
SandPiper – April 2009 Page 13
>> SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS
St Mary’s top tick
Stars: Students at St Mary’s Rutherglen are thrilled to have received a four star rating for their school.
St Mary’s Rutherglen
has a four star rating
for its environmental
policy writes Nicole
O’Mahony
Staff and students at St Mary’s Primary
School, Rutherglen, are all smiles after
receiving the official tick of recognition
from the Australian Sustainable
School’s Initiative (AuSSI), for our holistic
approach to environmental issues.
Our school recently completed requirements in
the areas of water, biodiversity, waste and energy
and we are now a four star AuSSI smart school.
The students are passionate about environmental
issues and work enthusiastically to ensure that
they tackle issues that they find relevant.
They have formed a student sustainability
action team, calling themselves the FROGSS
(Friendly Resourceful Organised Group of
Sustainable Students).
Lively and proactive weekly meetings are
held by the FROGSS to discuss and act on topical
environmental issues.
During the last couple of years, we have
come to realise the importance of preserving
precious natural resources such as water.
Our school is a water wise school! We save
water by putting ice-cream containers under
taps and bubblers.
We have also turned off all sprinklers and
replaced old urinals with a new state-of-the-art
water free urinal.
We are now in the process of looking to purchase
more water tanks.
Our school has a vegetable patch and is also
an animal-friendly place.
We have chooks, calves, and a worm farm
,and soon we are hoping to have frogs following
the construction of a frog bog.
Each week, the students reap the rewards
of our vegetable garden and the eggs through
chook lotto, a scheme where the students raffle
off the goods to a different family each week.
The produce is also used in the school’s
cooking program, Deliziosa Dining. Students
cook and eat the food from the school.
Children are encouraged to have rubbish-free
lunches through the implementation of a waste
wise competition.
Each class is involved and the class with the
least amount of rubbish in their lunchboxes wins
the Waste Wise trophy.
In all classes we have a recyclable and reusable
tub. When ever there is paper lying around
we pick it up even if it’s not ours to keep our
school tidy.
Trustees herald new
year at Corpus Christi
BISHOP Joe met with the Sandhurst
Diocese’s seven seminarians
when he attended the first Trustees
Mass for 2009 held at Corpus
Christi College on March 4.
The Mass was celebrated in the
College Chapel followed by a luncheon
for guests in the seminary dining room.
It was a great event and not without
a feeling of pride with our seven
Sandhurst seminarians; Rob Galea,
Nicholas Mooney, Stephen Bolling,
Kester Rebbechi, Pantaleon Amaya,
John McLaurin and Bernald Agustines.
Rector Fr Tony Ireland, provided a
warm welcome and the latest news for
all in attendance.
There was also the opportunity
to acknowledge the nomination as a
Member of the Order (MA) received
by Archbishop Adrian Doyle in
the Australia Day Honours, for his
work in the Catholic Church and
the Tasmanian Community as well
as Caritas, along with an acknowledgement
of the doctorate in music
awarded to Daryl Barclay, choir tutor
at Corpus Christi.
The trustees of the College are:
Most Rev Denis Hart, Most Rev
Adrian Doyle, Most Rev Christopher
Prowse, Most Rev Peter Connors,
Most Rev Peter Elliott, Most Rev
Joseph Grech, Most Rev Tim Costelloe
SDB and Rev Peter Slater.
We have kept energy consumption to a minimum
at our school through the delamping of
lights, cleaning our sky-lights and purchasing
items such as the Power Mate and Lux Meter.
The Power Mate has allowed us to see how
much energy electrical appliances use and the
Lux Meter has been used to determine the most
energy efficient use of lights around our school.
Our school has recently been awarded for
being a carbon sink school.
We are one of only 30 schools in Australia to
receive this prestigious award.
This is an award that has been achieved
through a total school commitment to sustainability
and living habitats.
As a school community, St Mary’s was able
to reduce our omissions by 42 per cent, which
is an amazing achievement when you consider
that the Australian Government’s recommendation
for carbon omission is only 5 per cent!
The next aim for St Mary’s Primary School
is to become a carbon-neutral school through
purchasing solar panels.
As we are already running our school using
minimal energy, we’re hoping by installing solar
panels that we will be self sufficient.
Our school’s native vegetation will also be a
focus, with more indigenous trees to be propagated
and planted.
The students are excited about conserving
their present environment and providing a
brighter future for those still to come.
– Written in consultation with the FROGSS media team
Seminary
days
Seminarian
Rob Galea
keeps us
up to date
with what's
happening at
Corpus Christi
College.
I AM writing this ‘update’ in between
assignments and research and while
grieving after having lost against the
rector in a table tennis match this
afternoon.
Two months have past since we began
the 2009 academic year.
On one hand I am impressed at how
fast time went by, and on the other it seems
like so much has happened in such a short
time.
Between our studies, recreation, sport,
retreats and daily routine it is no wonder that
time passes us by without us realising it.
“All people are equal, it’s just that some
are more equal than others”.
One thing that makes us equal is time.
We all live the same 24 hours daily.
What is not equal is what we do with this
time we have been given.
One of the things we learn in the
seminary is how to make the most out of
the gift of time we have been given.
We learn that when we plan our time well
we can get more out of the 1440 minutes.
A case in point was our last ‘family
day’.
Among the rush of our due assignments
and seminary commitments, seminarians
are asked to plan a day for the 300 or so
guests – cleaning, setting up of the chairs,
organizing parking spaces, liturgy … the list
goes on; but the thing is that you never hear
one seminarian complain.
Why? One reason is that we do it for the
love and appreciation of our visiting family
and friends, but also because most have
learnt to manage their time and energy
well.
Needless to say that ‘family day’ turned
out to be a memorable day for us all.
On another note, we are now at the end
of Lent, and this season is a particularly
exciting one for the country students who get
to spend two weeks in their own diocese.
So this Friday, Nick, John, Bernald,
Kester and I (John and Steve [fi rst years]
will remain at the seminary for Holy Week
to follow their own program) will be packing
our bags and heading for Bendigo to
spend Holy Week with Bishop Joe and the
Cathedral Parish.
We are all excited and looking forward
to spending Holy Week and Easter with the
people of Sandhurst.
Together: Bishop
Joe Grech
joins Sandhurst
seminarians Rob
Galea, Nicholas
Mooney, Stephen
Bolling, Kester
Rebbechi,
Pantaleon Amaya,
John McLaurin
and Bernald
Agustines.

Page 14 SandPiper – April 2009
The Catechumen
and Candidates’
journey to Christ
The RCIA journey is coming to
a new phase soon for many of its
participants.
The Catechumen and Candidates
will approach full initiation into the
Catholic Church on Easter Saturday
night and then enter their period a
mystogagy – deepening of faith.
Part of the journey of preparation
has included two gatherings
earlier this year, a Reflection Day at
Kyabram and the Rite of Election at
the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The Retreat Day
On February 8, more than 50
people from various parishes in the
Diocese gathered for a Reflection Day
for those participating in the RCIA
process this year.
Sr Claire Gardiner led a day set
to explore each person’s relationship
with Jesus in two ways.
The first – the examin – is a process
of setting time aside every day to
sit in prayer to find where God has
been in our lives that day.
The second – was to use various
scripture passages, and by means of
placing ourselves in the scene with
Jesus relating the Bible story to our
lives and our responses to being with
Jesus.
The day is held every year, with
all Catechumens, Candidates and
RCIA team members invited.
The Reflection Day was a wonderful
opportunity for those on the
RCIA journey to meet each other and
deepen their prayer life in anticipation
for Lent (the RCIA period of enlightenment).
There was also a chance to prepare
for the Rite of Election.
Many thanks to the Kyabram
parishioners who helped make the day
such a success and to all those who
travelled near and far and brought
their faith and experience with them
to enrich the day.
Rite of Election
The First Sunday of Lent saw the
Rite of Election, for members of those
involved in RCIA, celebrated at the
Sacred Heart Cathedral.
This rite is a chance for those
Catechumen elected by God to
inscribe their name into their parish’s
Book of the Elect.
And for the Diocese’s Candidates
to commit to their ongoing call
to conversion. Catechumen from
Benalla, the Cathedral parish, Echuca,
Kennington and Shepparton gathered
for the rite, becoming “elect” and
meeting with the Bishop.
Rite of election: Candidates at the Rite of Election
(above). Michael Wake with Godparent Dale Wright
and Bishop Joe Grech (inset).
While Candidates from Benalla,
Echuca, the Cathedral, Quarry Hill,
St Brendan’s and Kennington were
present to hear their Sponsors speak
of their readiness for continuing the
journey.
The ceremony, presided over by
Bishop Joe Grech, was a joyful occasion
with a wonderful sense of reverence
and prayer. There was an opportunity
during the rite for the Bishop
to speak to each person individually,
which made the time particularly special
for some.
Beautiful music was supplied
by John Hogan and Sarah Gould,
and afternoon tea was beautifully
prepared by a cathedral group coordinated
by Annette Moylan.
Bishop Joe was assisted by Mgr
Marriott who guided much of the rite
on the day.
Many thanks to all these people
and also all who helped the
Catechumens and Candidates on their
journey to Easter.
Sacristan sounds last bell
After more than six years, Lieven T’Hooft
has retired as sacristan at the Sacred Heart
Cathedral
I
thank God for having allowed
me to serve around
the altar in the Bendigo
cathedral with Monsignors
Duffus and Marriott, with
our bishop, with different
other priests and with
many dedicated persons.
Although the liturgy is not
my strongest point, I can’t
express enough how morally
and spiritually enriching the
task of sacristan has been.
I am leaving with many
fond memories, mainly with
memories of little attentions,
laughs and urgent clarifying
gestures during the services.
When I arrived in Australia
in 1987 with my wife Fran and
our daughters Ellen and Kim,
this was the last thing I expected
would happen to me.
I came out with a known
Belgian artist and we had
plans in the arts while working
in the Randwick library. But
Divine Providence changed
the course of my path.
We didn’t stay in Sydney,
but left in 1990 for Bendigo
where the first person we met
was the Dutchman physiotherapist
Adrian Schoo and
his family.
When Fran died in early
1996, I experienced what they
call ‘an awakening’. And I
haven’t been looking back, not
even at the arts.
It was my spiritual director
in Hampton who opened
Experience: Last year’s labyrinth in Rosalind Park.
new fields of great blessings,
mainly in the field of mystical
theology.
For more than 12 years
now, I have been taking a real
interest in the writings of what
the Servant of God John-Paul
II called ‘The New and Divine
Holiness’.
I was even lead to translate
a number of texts into Dutch/
Flemish – about 800 pages
from Book of Heaven and The
Hours of the Passion by Luisa
Piccarreta.
While leaving Flanders/
Belgium, instead of reporting
back on some artistic contribution,
God involved me in
a Belgian/Dutch apostolate
‘about living in His Divine
Will’.
This apostolate is based on
the writings of the New and
Divine Holiness and in particular
on Book of Heaven.
ON GOOD Friday last year, when
people passed by the edge of Rosalind
park opposite the Fountain,
they encountered a reproduction of a
15-metre-diameter Labyrinth that has
graced the floor of Chartres Cathedral
in France from Medieval times.
A strikingly beautiful work of art,
it is also an invitation to engage in
spiritual reflection.
Those of us who sat with it
watched as suspicious adults were
drawn into the experience by enthusiastically
curious toddlers, rejoiced
in the energy of young teenagers, and
After having been involved
in Australia in this spirituality
from 1997 onwards, I now
write all the overseas conferences
(I often ask Christ’s
Spirit to send a priest to relieve
me of this task).
In 2007 and 2008 I published
two volumes on living in
God's will. The third volume
should be ready by the end of
2009, God willing.
All the contributions are
submitted to a Belgian bishop
and our own bishop knows
about that.
I thank bishop Grech for his
genuine interest and for supporting
different Divine Willprayer
groups in his Diocese.
The work load was getting
too much, so I had to resign as
a sacristan.
May the new helpers around
Mgr Marriott be blessed.
Farewell: Lieven T’Hooft is farewelled as
sacristan at the Sacred Heart Cathedral by the
cathedral’s administrator Mgr Frank Marriott.
Labyrinth to put you on the path
chatted about the meaning of life with
young men spilling out of nightclubs
in the dark hours before the dawn.
This year, auspiced by Daybreak
Centre of Spirituality and SEEDS,
this gentle Christian invitation will lie
at the heart of the Easter Festival in
the Conservatory Gardens from Good
Friday morning until it is swept away
after a dawn service on Easter Day.
The children attending the Easter
Festival in Rosalind Park will be
invited to bring their Easter Baskets
to be blessed ready for the Easter
Bunny’s visit that night.
And all other Festival goers will
be encouraged to pause for a while at
this place dedicated to the quest for
Peace of Christ.
This pausing in a peaceful and
sacred place for a while is also an apt
invitation for Christians who seek to
enter into the rhythm of the Easter
story which we retell and seek to
relive each year.
This year’s labyrinth will be held from April
10 to 12, at the Conservatory Gardens,
Rosalind Park.
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009
SandPiper – April 2009 Liturgy
Page 15
>> LEARNING ABOUT LITURGY
The Triduum – three days
that build the Church
By Denise Braddon
Director of Liturgy,
Sandhurst Diocese
r
rite
heir
ll
at
r
This week we begin
our Holy Week. In this
Diocese we begin with
the Chrism Mass (Mass of the
Oils) on Monday and then put a
hold on our major celebrations
until Thursday when we begin
the Triduum.
Triduum comes from the
Latin words meaning three days.
The Triduum begins with the
celebration of the Last Supper on
Holy Thursday night and continues
to the Resurrection, Easter Sunday
morning.
The highpoint of the Church’s
year is the time between Saturday
night and Sunday morning.
We spend these days moving
to the waters of Baptism.
That is why the Saturday Night
Vigil is more effective with adult or
infant Baptisms.
On Easter Saturday night the
Church keeps vigil – we baptise
the Catechumens and celebrate
the Eucharist, which we have not
done since Thursday night.
During the early Christian
Church, Catechumens also
went through initiation on Easter
Saturday Night, after a three-year
Catechumenate period.
The Catechumens fasted from
Thursday night and remained in
prayer until Saturday night.
They processed into the huge
Basilicas and separated into groups
of women and groups of men and
sent into separate side chapels,
where they stripped naked and
walked into the Baptismal Fonts.
Coming out, they were clothed
in white and returned to the body
of the Basilica to be Chrismated by
the Bishop and receive their First
Communion.
The big moment, as they saw
it, was that they could now receive
the Kiss of Peace; (adapted into our
modern day Sign of Peace) they
were fi nally part of the community.
They were accepted and they were
loved as children of the Christ.
Three days – one liturgy
The continuum of the three
days is refl ected in the unfi nished
nature of some of the liturgies.
The is no dismissal rite on Holy
Thursday night or Good Friday and
the usual greetings are omitted
from the beginning of the Good
Friday afternoon ceremony.
This shows the nature of a
liturgy that will run for three days.
Together it will bring us all our
symbols and those things we will
Symbols: Easter symbols – Water, Oil and Wine
use for Sacraments throughout the
year to come.
What happens on the
three days?
Holy Thursday presents the
three oils we will use for the year –
Oil of Catechumens, Oil of Chrism
and Oil of the Sick – into the midst
of the community.
We also establish our
anamnesis (memorial) of the Last
Supper when Jesus commends us
to “Do this in memory of me”.
Our gospel for the night is
St John’s Washing of the Feet
so we remember that Jesus’
commendation was to service of
others.
Good Friday sees our
celebration and memorial of the
death of Jesus.
The Stations of the Cross follow
the fi nal journey of Jesus to Calvary,
and in the afternoon we retell the
story of the crucifi xion, honouring
the Cross which symbolised the
death of Jesus, and we receive the
Body of Christ in the consecrated
hosts held from the night before.
Without the Cross there is no
resurrection, and no demonstration
from Jesus of his absolute
commitment to us – even to death.
Some parishes still celebrate
“Tenebrae” (Latin for darkness)
which is the celebration at the end
of day which turns the lights out in
the church until the following night
when we will begin with the light of
the Paschal Fire outside the church
and the bringing the light for the
year back into the church.
Saturday is our time to sit in the
tomb with Jesus, we as Christians
know that there is more than the
tomb, we sit knowing that God will
not forsake us or leave us.
Saturday morning brings us the
empty tomb, and its confusion that
leads to hope and resurrection.
This is a time of waiting and
watching.
All of this leads to and climaxes
with the celebration of the
Resurrection, starting on Easter
Saturday night.
At this celebration we receive
the Baptismal waters to be used
to welcome our new members,
the Paschal Candle showing the
light of Christ and the hope of
Resurrection and we sing our
Alleluias again for the fi rst time
since Shrove Tuesday.
Everything we use in the year
to come is introduced over this
Triduum.
Our history is sung out in
the Exsultat sung in darkness
and calling into light via history
a declaration of the Kingship of
Jesus.
Our liturgy is rich with words that
explain our time together. Some of
the verbs used during the Triduum
include: Watch … Listen … Ignite
… Burst … Wed … Drip … Deny
… Reconcile … Breath … Drown
… Share … Ferment … Betray …
Surround … Sing … Proclaim …
Gather … Break … Bless … Pour
… Smell … Clothe … Remember
… Pray.
And some of our nouns include:
Light … Glory … Fire … Alpha …
Temple … Omega … Wounds …
Creation … Sea … Glory … Sin …
Grace … Night … Wellspring …
Kingdom … Crowds … Flood …
Chains … Grave … Joy … Peace
… Innocence … Psalms … Veil.
Easter Sunday – end of
the Triduum
The celebration of the Eucharist
of the Resurrection is held on
Sunday.
The symbols are now installed
in our worship spaces, the
culmination of the earthly journey
of Jesus has been reached, and
the premise of our faith has been
placed for us to believe in.
In Australia we are in the
season of Autumn, when all things
are going into hibernation.
We have a challenge in the
Southern hemisphere to create
the joy and resurrection of Easter
during the season when things are
going to sleep.
But before that we have our
Triduum to live through and rise
through.
Certainly these three days
are the centre of our gathering
community’s life, and prayed well
can sustain us and give us life for
the rest of the year to come.
We will live through the dying
and rising, the hibernating and the
waking.
Words from the Easter Vigil
Exsultat sum up the gift of this
Triduum “The power of this holy
night dispels all evil, washes guilt
away, restores lost innocence,
brings mourners joy, casts out
hatred and brings us peace”
Happy Easter.
apt
to
April
,
Is your school or parish news not making it into SandPiper?
Why not become a contributor? Contact the editor for further information at sandpiper@chancery.org.au

Page 16 Relax
SandPiper – April 2009
>> AT THE FLICKS
Cryptic thriller
a cracking yarn
San
>>
I
Rev
Knowing
Starring: Nicholas Cage,
Rose Byrne, and Chandler
Canterbury.
Directed by Alex Proyas
115 min. Rated M
THIS is an action thriller that deals
with the super-natural, and it represents
a special kind of genre that
has many followers.
A code of numbers, written some
fifty years ago, is buried in a time
capsule at an elementary school in
Massachusetts, USA.
The capsule is recovered 50 years
later and the coded numbers find their
way to Caleb (Chandler Canterbury),
who attends the school, and is the son
of Professor John Koestler (Nicholas
Cage), recently widowed.
Caleb’s father works increasingly
in earnest on the cryptic message to
try to decipher what it says.
The message seems just to give
random numbers, but there is a pattern
to them.
He is alarmed to find that the numbers
have predicted major disasters for
the past 50 years, and they are predicting
cataclysmic events for the future.
>> A LITTLE TRIVIA
1. Which horse won the Melbourne Cup in 2002?
2. What was Sir Donald Bradman’s batting average?
3. How many countries are larger than Australia?
4. Australia has the world’s largest sand island.
The messages in them also hint at
the destruction of the world, which
John assumes will mean the death of
Caleb and himself.
The authorities won’t listen and
Diana Whelhan (Rose Byrne), the
daughter of the disturbed “knowing”
child, who wrote the random numbers
fifty years before, first rebuffs him and
then offers him help.
John is convinced of the accuracy
of the predictions, because one of them
foretold the death of his wife one year
before, and tragedies keep occurring
around him that the numbers predict.
He comes to believe that his son
now has some role in the events that
are about to happen, and he can’t deal
with the future until he cracks all of the
code, which was buried unfinished.
The movie itself was filmed in
Melbourne, and uses global locations
to highlight settings around the
world. In it, we see several glimpses of
Victorian scenes.
Alex Proyas who has a history of
delving into the supernatural, and who
gave us Dark City and I, Robot, tackles
the film with energy and vigour.
The movie abounds with disaster
images that are typical of apocalyptic
movies that trade on uncertainty about
the future.
However, it doesn’t glamorize disaster.
Rather, it integrates its disaster
sequences cleverly into the context
of John’s spiritual quest and personal
commitment to save his son.
The science behind the movie is
sufficiently credible and the moral is
clear that through apparent randomness
in life, there is nearly always true
purpose that hides there, and it is this
that fires the resolve of John Koestler.
The plot of the movie is a little bit
of a hard-to-believe story from a team
of writers involving the director, but it
is presented well by Proyas in a gritty,
realistic way that challenges the viewer
to look for meaning in everything
that is happening.
Some disturbing scenes in the
movie make it almost as dark as the
previous films that Proyas has directed.
We see grotesque images (burning
animals, and people on fire), and
the disaster sequences are filmed very
convincingly.
This is an edited version of the review
available at:
www.catholic.org.au/fi lmreviews/
What is its name?
5. Who designed the Sydney Opera House?
6. How many albums did the late slim Dusty
record?
7. Who was Australia’s first Aboriginal Senator?
Answers page 18
Questions: Rose Byrne and Nicholas Cage in Knowing.
>> SANDPIPER CROSSWORD
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ABC
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to ge
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CAPTION COMPETITION
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– Carmen Florence, Shepparton
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ACROSS
1 Feast day 50 days after Easter (9)
5 Appeared on the Apostles at 1 across (5)
8 Ancient Roman subterranean tombs (9)
10 Heard by the Apostles at 1 across (5)
11 Hell or the underworld (5)
12 Canteloupe (4-5)
13 Grease stain (3-4)
14 Underwater breathing apparatus (7)
16 Apostles spoke in many ... at 1 across (7)
18 Ages (7)
20 Promptly (2,5,5)
22 Perfect (5)
24 Sleep inducing drugs (9)
25 Sailing vessel (5)
26 Longest day of the week (9)
DOWN
1 Spanish Cubist Painter (7)
2 Holland (11)
3 Distilled from gum trees (10-3)
4 Way of earning reward (2-5)
6 Angel, sprite or mermaid but not a font
(5)
7 Forever (7)
9 Hessian bags (5)
10 Novel by Umberto Eco (4, 2, 3, 4)
15 Roadside edging (4)
16 The Triune God (7)
17 The devil (5)
18 Treacherous son of King Arthur (7)
19 To receive or give enough (7)
21 Felt by the apostles at 1 across (4)
23 And the rest (Latin abbr) (3)
Crossword Solution Page 18
J
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To
pl
fir
lo
ar
be
Th
in
ra
na
fo
W
do
-c
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as

009
SandPiper – April 2009 Relax
Page 17
ont
8
>> FROM THE RESOURCE CENTRE
Insightful journeys
Reviews by Angela Allen
The Abbey:
ABC production: 2007 (DVD)
WHEN the idea behind this program
was first articulated, I was
fairly cynical.
The producers in collaboration
with the ABC asked for women who
were interested in the monastic life
to get in touch with the ABC.
Apparently there were hundreds
of women who applied to be a part
of the experiment.
My reasoning for being cynical
was that I imagined that the women
who applied to be a part of this
experiment would come from a very
limited demographic.
I was wrong.
The women who were chosen for
the experiment could not have been
more varied in so many ways.
These women chose to live
>> IN THE GARDEN
Time to plant a
new favourite
John Holder says the range of Hellebores
available will hold something for everyone.
The Hellebores have
always been with us,
it seems.
To some of us they are a
plant we discover for the
first time and may fall in
love with. To others, they
are a plant that has always
been in the garden.
They are at present enjoying
a resurgence and a
range of exciting new
names and labels are to be
found.
We grew a batch of nice,
double-flowered meristem
-cultured plants for this
winter and priced them
modestly only to hear
subsequently that a Hellebore
Society in Adelaide
was buying these same
plants for up to four times
as much!
as contemplatives for 33 days at the
Jamberoo Abbey in New South Wales.
The Abbey is an enclosed
Benedictine monastery set in 3.5 hectares
above Jamberoo.
Enclosed, because the 33 nuns who
live there intend to do so for the rest
of their lives without ever leaving the
property.
To say that it was a struggle for
some is to minimize the courage, tenacity
and searching of these five women.
Among them is Tusa, 23, who sings
in a Brisbane band with her sister;
Robyn, 47, a lapsed Catholic; and Meg,
a mother of three who at 40 regards
the 33 days as long service leave from
parenting. The others, Lyn and Tammy,
are just as interesting.
The program shows the women in an
extraordinarily honest way.
We see them give up their mobile
phones, their access to emails.
We see these women struggle to
get up in the early hours of morning to
pray.
We watch as they clean, garden, and
wash and, at times struggle with the discipline
that is required in order to live a
monastic life.
The program also gives us the
opportunity to see the many and varied
women who have chosen to live by
the 1500-year-old Benedictine rule of
silence … women who clean, scrub,
cook, teach and pray … indeed women
who seem very happy in their service
to God.
Things to do now
Time to Mulch! Rice mulch
is a new local product. It
lasts for up to 2 years and
breaks down to help your
soil..
Make sure you start off your
Tomatoes with a good complete
fertilizer. Don’t forget
to protect them when a frost
is expected.
If you want a flowering blossom
tree now is the time to
choose one. Notice in other
gardens as each one breaks
into flower
Hellebores are a great winter
flower and possibly we
have taken them too much
for granted.
They have always done
well in Northern Victoria,
particularly under trees and
in light shade, in positions
where they can receive
some moisture during the
A River Dreaming
by Elizabeth Pike
WHETHER this story fits into
the genre of myth or parable is
a little uncertain and perhaps it
doesn’t matter.
On one level it tells the story
of how the platypus became the
platypus and as such could be
read and interpreted as a nice little
picture story book designed to
tell children why the platypus has
webbed feet like a duck, but fur
like a rat, yet can swim like a fish.
To read it in this way only
would be to diminish its worth as
a literature.
The author tell us that her purpose
in writing A River Dreaming
‘is to help people understand that
the aboriginal story in this land
is a very complex one, bringing
wealth of cultural stories, that are
part of the true history of the land
Beautiful: Plant Hellebores now in time for winter.
summer, although I think
there is evidence that they
survive harsher summer
conditions than is commonly
thought.
I have watched people
discover them for the first
time and really warm to
their possibilities.
Their flower colours are
extraordinarily varied.
Pure white flowers with
dainty markings vie with
almost totally black flowers
for our attention.
to be shared with others who have
chosen to make their home in this
land.’
In writing A River Dreaming
Elizabeth Pike achieves so much
more than this.
As the platypus demonstrates
courage and fear, doubt and faith,
perseverance, pain and joy, we are
reminded of and encouraged to
search for our own true identities.
Like the platypus and his journey
of dislocation from his family
and culture, A River Dreaming the
author tells of her own story of
pain, rejection and dislocation.
She also tells of her great relief
when she discovered, and was able
to celebrate her own discovery of
who she is and to proudly exclaim
“ I am an Australian aboriginal.”
I think that A River Dreaming
is a very important book – not only
in its ability to tell some of the
Aboriginal story – but in being a
book of hope for all peoples of the
earth in their quest to find hope,
goodness, and even joy amongst
adversity.
These titles and others are available
for free loan at the Resource
Centre, located at 118 Hargreaves
Street, Bendigo. Open Mon-Fri
8.30am to 5pm. Phone (03) 5442
6108 or Fax: (03) 5442 9463.
Email: library@ceo.sand.catholic.
edu.au
They are slow to establish
into a really good flowering
clump and generally
may not flower for two
years after being planted.
A nice flowering clump
in a 16 inch wire basket
will flower for 3-4 months
from June onwards and
be in an ideal position for
us to admire its flower
colours.
For more information, visit John
Holder at the Shepparton Garden
Centre, 535 Archer Road,
Kialla. Phone 03 5823 5677
>> ONLY JOKING
No escape,
even in the
here after
AFTER a long illness, a woman
died and arrived at the gates of
heaven.
While she was waiting for Saint
Peter to greet her, she peeked
through the Gates. She saw that it
was so beautiful.
Saint Peter came by; the woman
said to him “This is such a wonderful
place! How do I get in?”
“You have to spell a word”, Saint
Peter told her.
“Which word?” the woman
asked.
“Love.”
The woman correctly spelled
“Love” and Saint Peter welcomed
her into Heaven.
About six months later, Saint
Peter came to the woman and asked
her to watch the Gates of Heaven for
him that day. While the woman was
guarding the Gates of Heaven, her
husband arrived.
“I’m surprised to see you,” the
woman said. “How have you been?”
“Oh, I’ve been doing pretty well
since you died,” her husband told
her.
“I married the beautiful young
nurse who took care of you while
you were ill. And then I won the lottery.
“I sold the little house you and I
lived in and bought a big mansion.
And my wife and I travelled all
around the world. We were on vacation
and I went water skiing today.
I fell, the ski hit my head, and here I
am. How do I get in?”
“You have to spell a word”, the
woman told him.
“Which word?” her husband
asked.
“Czechoslovakia.”
>> SIMPLY COOKING
Chocolate for
the season
By Glen Avard
I’VE told you before that I can’t
do light and fluffy – which is why
I don’t cook sponges ... or cakes
much.
But my daughter’s friend, Anne,
assured us that this was an easy-peasy,
one bowl, one spoon chocolate cake –
that ANYONE could make.
I especially liked the sound of the
‘one bowl, one spoon’ – not too much
mess to clean up.
Mix 1 tbn white vinegar with 1 cup
of evaporated milk.
Sift 1½ cups flour, pinch salt, ½
cup cocoa, 1 tspn cinnamon, 1 ½ tspn
bicarb soda, 1 ¼ cups castor sugar into
a bowl.
Add 155g melted butter, 1 tspn
vanilla, 2 eggs and soured milk. Beat
vigorously with a wooden spoon until
smooth (if you use up a few calories
making it, you can eat a bigger piece
when it’s cooked).
Bake in 2 greased, paper-lined bottom,
20cm round tins. Bake at 180ºC
for 30-35 minutes.
When cool, you can sandwich them
together with jam and cream and dust
with icing sugar as Anne does.
Or ... because I couldn’t be bothered
going out for cream, I cooked mine in
a lamington tin and iced it with coffee
icing (holding back on sprinkling with
coconut so I wouldn’t get complaints
from my false-toothed friend who says
it gets under his plate!)

SandPiper – April 2009 Page 18
NOTICEBOARD
Bendigo Easter Labyrinth
April 10 to 12. Daybreak
Centre of Spirituality and
SEEDS invite you to a
place of peace, reflection
and creativity in the heart
of the Easter Festival,
at the Conservatory
Gardens, Rosalind Park.
You are invited to create
the labyrinth from 9am to
midday on Good Friday.
You can then visit and walk
the labyrinth between noon
on Good Friday and dawn
on Easter Sunday.
Catholic Women's Retreat
April 20 to April 22. Catholic
women are reminded that
the popular Annual Retreat
at Feathertop Chalet
is on in April. A time for
peaceful reflection, prayer,
and serenity, sharing
interests and experience
with others. A bus will
run from Shepparton and
Kerang. For bookings
and additional information
please contact Mrs Anita
Toner, 877 Yack-Myrtleford
Road Barwidgee, 3737.
(03) 5752 1736. Bookings
by April 6. Cost $130.
Trivia answers
1. Media Puzzle Puzzle
2. 99.94 3. Five 4. Fraser
Island 5. Joern Utzon
6. 103 7. Neville Bonner
Crossword
solution
Orphans’ experiences explored
WHILE there is much literature on
the experience of growing up in an
orphanage, very few books examine
life after institutional care.
After the Orphanage is the first
book to address how care-leavers
adjust to life in the outside world.
Using interviews with people who
grew up in orphanages and group
homes in Victoria between 1945 and
1983, the book explores how institutionalisation
affected future education,
employment opportunities, relationships
and health, and the implications
this might have for policy and practice
in the out-of-home care of children.
In the Sandhurst Diocese, there
are many ex-residents of St Aidan’s
Funding your Vision
Parish Planned Giving to lift weekly
income and inspire generosity.
Capital appeals to raise $500,000 to
$5,000,000 or more to build or fund
opportunities. Visit www.kma.net.au
Call me: 0418 691 600 / 02 6024 1728
Email keith@kma.net.au
Keith Martin PO Box 1126 Wodonga 3689
TUTORING
BRIAN BOURKE
Dip Ed Admin E D Hons TPTC SART MATA
• Personal tutoring programs
• Reading, Spelling, Maths and English
• Other subjects by request
FULLY TRAINED TEACHERS
All ages, All basic subjects, Write your life story program.
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FITZPATRICK’S
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6 Peg Leg Road
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Phone 03 5446 8144
Fax 03 5446 7029
“Still building ’em like
BENDIGO
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they used to”
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BENDIGO PERIOD HOMES
www.bendigoperiodhomes.com.au
Orphanage, and many
who were later moved to
orphanages in Melbourne.
Jenny Glare from the
Mackillop Family Services
said the book came
about as a joint project
between Mackillop Family
Services and RMIT university,
with contributing
authors Suellen Murray,
John Murphy, Elizabeth
Branigan and Jenny
Malone.
“The purpose of the project was to
interview 40 people who had been in
Catholic orphanages,” Ms Glare said.
She said the book grew out of that
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research, and now shows
a diverse range of experiences
for each individual
while in care.
Jenny manages the
Heritage and Information
Service at Mackillop Family
Services, which is a specialist
service assisting former
residents and clients of the
founding agencies to access
personal information.
She said former residents
or their relatives are encouraged
to apply for information about their
personal history.
The Heritage and Information
Service also provides:
Assistance with access to records
held by government departments. eg.
state ward files, medical and educational
records,
Baptism records,
Access to birth certificates and
other records from the Registry of
Births, Deaths and Marriages,
Searching for and reunification
with separated family members,
Advice about how to apply to an
authorised Adoption information
Service for persons who were legally
adopted.
After the Orphanage: life beyond the
children’s home $39.95
Custom Built Cabinets
Free measure and quote in the Bendigo area
176 Murphy Street
BENDIGO 3550 Ph 5441 7786
www.bourkeskitchens.com.au
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
KENNEDY and TODD
Dan Kennedy
Serving Nagambie, Seymour and
District
Prepaid funerals available
24 hour service - 7 days a week
Nagambie 5794 2759
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• Mention this ad for a 10% discount
• Best home-cooked breakfast in Bendigo
*Mass at 6pm Saturday, K.Flat 9am Sun.
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18
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t
Page 19
ds
eg.
-
Easter
n
On Easter Sunday (April 12) we celebrate the
fact that Jesus has risen from the dead and is
alive!
As you walk into the church, you realise that
something wonderful has happened. A large bright
candle shines out for all to see and the church is
decorated with beautiful fl owers, a sign of new life.
lly
e
Reading:
John 20:1-9
Before sunrise on the Sunday morning, Mary
of Magdala went to the tomb. As she got to the
entrance, she saw that the stone had been rolled
away and that the tomb was empty.
She ran to the disciples and said, “They have
taken the Lord from the tomb and we don’t know
where they have put him!”
Peter and the disciple John ran to the tomb
and found it just as Mary had described, with the
linen burial cloths lying on the ground. Peter went
into the tomb, followed by John. Until this moment,
they had not understood the scriptures with had
said, “He must rise from the dead.”
But now they saw and they believed.
Discussion
Why did Mary return to the tomb on Sunday
morning?
Jesus had died late on Friday afternoon, and the
women had begun to embalm his body with spices
and ointments in preparation for burial, as was their
custom.
However, the Jewish Sabbath began at sunset
on the Friday evening, and work was not allowed
on the Sabbath, so they had to wait until Sunday to
complete their task.
What did Mary fi nd when she arrived at the
tomb? Whom did she tell?
As the disciples ran to the tomb, can you imagine
what they must have been thinking?
Peter and John had raced to the tomb and found
it empty.
They could hardly believe that Jesus might
be alive, but at that moment, they began to hope
that something as wonderful as this really could
happen.
On Easter Day and throughout the season of
Easter a special candle, called the “Paschal Candle”
is lit.
What does it remind us of?
It reminds us that Jesus, the Light of the World,
has destroyed death and is alive.
It is the symbol of new life.
What do we give each other on Easter Sunday
as symbols of new life?
Easter eggs!
Just as the chick in an egg must break free from
its shell to begin new life, so too, Jesus had to break
free from death in the tomb.
He had the new life which God promised to us
all!
Prayer
Jesus, we thank you for the joy of the resurrection,
when you rose from the dead and were fi lled with
new life.
Help us to remember that you
suffered and died on the cross for us,
so that one day we, too, will share with you
the joy of everlasting life.
Name Age School
Address Town P/C
Send your colouring-in competition entries, photos, poems and jokes to SandPiper C/O Chancery, PO
Box 201, Bendigo 3552.
Wordfind:
N R B F N
F P T H
F F
T N T J F N T
L P T J
V R L T N
R R V J R J
R D T T T
T R R T R R R
D J N B R
R P J N
R L B R P N
Cross
Easter
Empty
Everlasting
Jesus
John
Joy
Resurrection
Risen
Stone
Suffered
Tomb
Used by permission of www.KidExplorers.com - Copyright, Eden Communications - All rights reserved.
March’s winner:
CONGRATULATIONS Marni
Thorne from St Brendan's,
Shepparton, you've won the
March colouring-in competition!
Keep an eye out in the
mail to receive this really cool
prize courtesy of St Luke's
Innovative Resources, Mates
Traits Colouring Book.
Mates Traits
Published by St Luke's
Innovative Resources,
$8.95

Catholic Newspaper of the Sandhurst Diocese
Edition 56 • April 2009
Walkathon: Patrick Hinton, Gus Donnelly, Will Keck and Jacob Carracher .
GREAT FEAT OF GIVING
TWENTY farmers in Uganda will this
year have two new goats each, thanks to
the efforts of St Kilian’s Primary School,
Bendigo.
The kids have this year raised more than
$800 in the annual Caritas Ks walk around
Lake Weeroona on March 20, raising money
for overseas Catholic Aid.
Principal Paul Wilkinson said the theme
for this year was ‘An environment to grow in’,
which emphasised to students the need “not
to just give people money, but to better their
lives”.
“We have decided to raise money this year
for farming families in Uganda ... we will
enable twenty farming families to receive two
goats to breed and share, as well as seeds and
training to grow their food and skills in constructing
a shelter and caring for the animals,”
he said.
Students enjoyed walking and running
around the lake, and afterwards were treated
to a barbecue lunch cooked by St Kilian’s
Parents and Friends.
Other schools around the diocese also conducted
a Caritas Ks walk, including Catholic
College Bendigo,
Years 7 to 9 students and staff participated
in the College’s annual Caritas Ks walk.
The 13-kilometre walk followed the
O’Keefe Trail from Giri’s Lane near Arakoon
to Catholic College La Valla (Junortoun).
While the majority of students walk, a
group decided to jog the distance this year.
Back at the college, the students had a sausage
sizzle for lunch and enjoyed a mini carnival
– a range of stalls and activities organised
by students to raise money for Caritas.
The walk also raised awareness of the activities
of Caritas Australia.
Students were inspired in their efforts to
raise money by Caritas Lenten Speaker Evan
Ellis from the Caritas Australia National
Office.
A young man of 23, Evan has just returned
from an immersion experience in India with a
group of students.
– News Page 7
For all your Real Estate needs contact
109 Mitchell Street, Bendigo
(03) 5442 1422
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Pre-paid Funerals - Peace of Mind
For over 50 years the Mulqueen Family have been providing the option of
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information about Funerals, Pre-Paid Funerals or Pre-Arranged Funerals visit
our website: www.mulqueen.com.au or phone FREECALL 1800 300 445.