Catholic Outlook March 2016

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FAMILY & LIFE www.parrafamlife.org.au @parrafamlife parrafamlife Mercy: Not just a matter for judges but for families as well By Ben Smith, Director of the Family & Life Office To help families enter more deeply into the Year of Mercy it is important that we unpack the meaning of the word mercy. In our popular culture, the word mercy is often used in association with pleas for clemency for people facing the death penalty. This use of the term mercy is connected with the idea that someone who has power shows compassion by reducing the level of a person’s punishment. In this context, mercy can be seen by some as a form of judicial weakness stemming from a ‘bleeding heart’. However, this understanding of mercy only captures a small part of its full biblical meaning. The Old Testament used two particular words to express the mercy of God: hesed and rahamim. Hesed refers to God’s faithful love of Israel and is connected with a form of generous love that does not depend on whether it is deserved. It is also related to a self-sacrificial love that remains strong despite the challenges that might test the relationship. This aspect of mercy is associated with the image of God as a bridegroom who loves Israel His bride. Rahamim is a word that means womb-compassion. It is connected with the heartbreaking love that a mother has for her children. This sense of mercy portrays a feminine aspect to the mercy of God. It is also an aspect of mercy that is connected with strong feeling that springs from deep within a person. These two aspects enable us to gain a deeper appreciation of the word mercy if we apply this richer meaning to works of mercy. One dimension (the hesed dimension) of these actions is that as all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, they have a dignity that needs to be respected. Consequently, as we are all human beings we have a responsibility to care for each other, especially the vulnerable. This care for the vulnerable should not stop at just an annual donation to Project Compassion or the Diocesan Works Fund. The rahamim dimension of a work of mercy is that it should also be heartfelt. The more personal a work of mercy is, the more this dimension can operate. For most people, it is in the family that we become acutely aware of the suffering of others. Our familial bonds make a call on us to provide help, but sometimes it can be harder to show mercy in our families compared to a stranger. The old saying “charity begins at home” also applies to mercy. Pope Francis recently identified the family as “the first and most important school of mercy, in which we learn to see God’s loving face and to mature and develop as human beings.” He sees that the family provides an antidote to individualism that creates a “kind of indifference towards our neighbours which leads to viewing them in purely economic terms.” Family life is extremely busy but we should regularly make some time as a family to visit the less fortunate in our extended family or our local community. This exposure will help form our children so that they will be less likely to spend too much time on Facebook and give mercy a face in the family and the community. For some ideas on how your family can perform works of mercy check out: www.parrafamlife.org.au/lent2016/ worksofmercy Polyptych with the Seven Works of Charity, Master of Alkmaar. Source: Rijksmuseum (www.rijksmuseum.nl) Our Our Lady of of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville Sunday 3 rd April 1:00pm Eucharistic Procession Rosary Rosary in 5 in 5 languages in in church for those who cannot join the procession Blessed Sacrament street procession with the Relic of St. Faustina Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Divine Mercy Novena Divine Mercy Chaplet Benediction Confessions Holy Mass 3:00pm Jesus I I Trust in You + Veneration + Veneration of of St. St. Faustina’s Faustina’s Relic Relic + Religious items items will will be be on on takes takes place place after after Mass. Mass. sale sale and and blessed blessed after after Mass. Mass. St. St. Faustina’s Faustina’s Relic Relic permanently permanently resides resides at at Our Our Lady Lady of of the the Rosary Rosary Parish, 8 Diana Ave, Ave, Kellyville Kellyville Bring your family and friends, refreshments afterwards Bring your family and friends, refreshments afterwards Enquiries: Steve Boland 0405 206 695 Enquiries: Steve Boland 0405 206 695 10 CatholicOutlook | MARCH 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org
www.safeguarding.org.au OFFICE FOR SAFEGUARDING & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Driving a cultural shift: ‘Child protection is everybody’s business’ By Elizabeth McFarlane Claire Pirola is the new Manager of the Office for Safeguarding and Professional Standards. She comes to the Diocese of Parramatta from the Catholic Education Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney, where she worked for three years as part of the Safety, Wellbeing and Professional Services Team. Claire’s role includes general oversight of the Diocese’s engagement with external authorities including the NSW Ombudsman’s Office, the Office of the Children’s Guardian and NSW Police. “I have a passion for being a voice for minorities and for those who are vulnerable,” Claire said. “Children are one of a number of vulnerable people in our community. I want to ensure that they are seen and they are heard.” Claire said she wants to be part of the vision of the Office of Safeguarding and Professional Standards. “It is breaking new ground in setting up structures and models that I have not seen elsewhere.” The needs and the work of the office are constantly changing and Claire said one of their main roles is to drive a cultural shift in the community. “We can do the best that we can here but unless that’s supporting a shift in the community and in our parishes, then nothing much is going to change. “We all have a responsibility. Child protection is everybody’s business. “The only way we’re going to see a cultural shift is by giving a voice to survivors and the people who are close to them. They hold us accountable and tell us what we missed or have done wrong previously.” Claire Pirola: “The only way we’re going to see a cultural shift is by giving a voice to survivors and the people who are close to them.” Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. Claire’s role has its emotional and personal challenges, but it’s the growth she can see in the community and in survivors that affirms her work. “Listening to people and walking with those who have suffered trauma is hard. We need to ensure that that sharing is not immobilising but that it mobilises us. “When you see a change in how people respond to the topic it is affirming. People can now talk about abuse and the abuse in the Church. Only by being able to talk openly about it can we begin to prevent it. “Many people identify with the Church and so when they see people in the Church have abused children or covered up abuse, and the reputation of the Church is harmed, it is personal for them. They personally feel harmed or their own personal faith feels harmed. “We have to acknowledge that this is part of our Church and who we are – as painful as that may be. “The change in the community is two-fold in that there is now a conversation about the abuse in the Church and because of that survivors are now able to seek healing and the Church leadership has opportunities to make change.” Claire said that because of the Royal Commission into Institutional responses to Child Sexual Abuse it was now permissible to talk about abuse. “Some people haven’t spoken about it for almost 50 years. We need to invite people to come forward and support them when they do.” Claire’s role will involve responding to referrals or calls from people within the community who have concerns about abuse and to report any allegations of abuse. “We assess the issue and we look at the most appropriate response. It’s about managing that and making sure it goes to the correct authorities and avenues within the Church and outside the Church.” Claire is looking forward to getting to know the different parishes and agencies in the Diocese. “I’m not from the Diocese so I don’t know everyone yet. I’m looking forward to working with and getting to know the parishes and agencies to see how best to support them in achieving the vision of a cultural shift and clearer response. “I won’t be working alone. We’ll be working closely with the other dioceses and looking state wide and nationally so that people don’t slip through systems. It’s a global issue and we are working to stand together. “The team here is fantastic and it’s been an easy transition. They have made me feel very welcome.” Celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy by supporting priests, religious sisters and brothers wherever the Church is poor, persecuted or threatened A priest visiting the sick in Peru Through their hands, God’s hand caresses the earth ... Priests and religious are above all the apostles of Divine Mercy - and not merely during the extraordinary Year of Mercy that Pope Francis has proclaimed for the whole Church. They feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, endure injustice. They promote reconciliation and absolve the repentant from their sins. Day by day, through the works of spiritual and corporal mercy, they show people the Face of the Merciful God. ‘They’ are the priests and religious of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has proclaimed an Extraordinary Year of Mercy, which is intended to be “a time of grace for the Church and to help render the witness of the faithful stronger and more effective.” It is surely also an occasion to reflect with great gratitude on the witness of those who proclaim this Mercy with their whole lives. Throughout the world wherever the Church is poor, persecuted or threatened, there are tens of thousands of priests and religious daily living the ‘Yes’ they have already given to God. It is vital that the indispensable work of priests and religious in Christ’s Holy Catholic Church and throughout the missions worldwide continues. You can help this important work by donating online to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. A complimentary ‘Year of Mercy’ rosary designed by the Vatican Rosary makers and blessed by Pope Francis will be sent out to all those who donate $15.00 or more to help this cause. The inspiration behind the rosary design Every confessor must accept the faithful as the father in the parable of the prodigal son. Confessors are called to embrace the repentant son who comes home and to express the joy of having him back. Chosen to be the Mother of God, Mary from the outset was prepared by the love of God to be the Ark of the Covenant between God and man. She treasured divine mercy in her heart in perfect harmony with her Son Jesus. The red and white beads represent the rays of light of the Divine Mercy. Donate on line at www.aidtochurch.org ENROLLING now for 2017 Catherine McAuley is a Catholic girls' secondary school, located at Westmead. Our broad curriculum encourages young women to pursue independent lifelong learning. OPEN NIGHT Tuesday 15 March 2016 4.00pm - 7.00pm This school open event will give visitors the opportunity to tour the school and view facilities as well as meet our School Principal and School Leadership Team CONTACT OUR SCHOOL ON 9849 9100 FOR AN ENROLMENT PACK. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1ST APRIL 2016 Catherine McAuley, 2 Darcy Road, Westmead | www.mcauley.nsw.edu.au www.catholicoutlook.org CatholicOutlook | MARCH 2016 11
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Catholic Outlook March 2016

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