Catholic Outlook December 2016

NEWS & EVENTS
Dominic Dimech: returning the
basic gift of faith
By Jordan Grantham
DOMINIC DIMECH, 24 years old,
is one of the leaders of the youth
group BasicGift at Holy Spirit Parish,
St Clair. The middle child of four in a
Maltese family, he is an articulate and affable
young man completing a doctorate in
philosophy at the University of Sydney.
Dominic said it is important to share your
faith. “The Catholic Faith, in a sense, is a
communal faith,” he said.
His journey to become leader of BasicGift
began when a friend at St Dominic’s
College, Kingswood, invited him to gain
more experience of the Faith.
Now he is in a position to give back.
Dominic aims to help others with the Faith,
the same way that he was enlightened.
Dominic’s goal of giving back to the
community is part of his general ethos
of generosity, which also influences his
professional life.
His academic inspirations include
Prof Helen Beebee, a Hume scholar and
honorary professor at the University of
Sydney. Dr Beebee is “such a clear and
great writer” as well as a generous teacher,
according to Dominic. This academic
relationship increased his interest and
dedication to his study.
The 18 th Century Scottish philosopher
David Hume is considered a sceptic
regarding spirituality and religion, but
Dominic argues that people can be religious
and deeply scholarly.
In his dissertation, Dominic is
examining whether Hume “fails to
appreciate the difficulty of his situation”.
Hume’s difficulty is that he denies possible
justification for belief in external objects
but also implies the existence of external
objects as unproblematic.
The International Hume Society
Conference was held earlier this year
at the University of Sydney and was an
opportunity for Dominic to meet many
of these scholars and be present in their
academic discussions.
This scholarly tradition and the academic
life of universities owe much to the Catholic
Church, which founded many of the oldest
universities in the world. These include the
Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Paris,
Sapienza (Rome) and Bologna. University
academic dress is derived from the dress of
the clergy, as all early students were clerical,
at least in minor orders.
For Dominic Dimech, it is important to share your faith. “The Catholic Faith, in a sense, is a communal faith,” he said.
Photo: Jordan Grantham.
“The Catholic Church has a great tradition
of philosophers,” Dominic said.
Significant Catholic philosophers
include St Thomas Aquinas, St Augustine
of Hippo, Boethius, Bacon, Abelard,
Erasmus, St Thomas More, Descartes,
Pascal, Bl. John Henry Newman and
Pope Benedict XVI, to give just the tip of
the iceberg.
Dominic recommends St John Paul
II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio, or Faith and
Reason, as a must read. Michael Dummett
was a prominent metaphysician and convert
at the University of Oxford, who also
inspires Dominic.
These figures grappled with faith in their
works and can inspire and strengthen
readers. St Augustine’s influence can
be found in BasicGift at St Clair where
the parish is in the pastoral care of the
Augustinian Friars.
BasicGift meets each Sunday. Dominic
organises several types of events, including
reflective Connect evenings. Communal
dinners and jam nights are also scheduled
throughout the year. The group provides
mutual support to young members of the
parish, especially in difficult times. BasicGift
provides ongoing support to Augustinian
Volunteers Australia, helping refugee and
Indigenous youth.
Together, Dominic and BasicGift youth
group return the gifts of grace, faith and
friendship that they have received.
SAVE THE DATE
Mass for World Day of the Sick
in acknowledgment of carers and those for whom they care
Including the Sacramental Rite of Anointing
of the Sick and Prayers for Healing
Thursday 9 February 2017 at 10.30am
Principal Celebrant Most Rev Vincent Long OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
St Patrick’s Church,
51 Allawah Street, Blacktown
Mary, Queen of the Family Parish
&
Please join us for a refreshments at the conclusion of the Mass.
For further information please contact Michelle Davis
T (02) 4734 3150 | E Michelle.Davis@health.nsw.gov.au
The Office for Worship is offering Liturgical Ministry
Courses in 2017, open to all parishes and individuals
seeking formation and training for serving at the altar.
Held at the Diocesan Assembly Centre in Blacktown on
Mondays and at St Nicholas of Myra in Penrith on Thursdays,
the formation courses are for anyone who is interested in
becoming a Minister of the Word, Holy Communion, Communion
to the Sick and Dying, Adult Altar Server or Acolyte. Please
refer to the dates below for the ministry course schedule:
Compulsory
Introductory Session
Ministers of
the Word
Extraordinary
Ministers of
Communion
Communion to the
Sick & Dying
Altar Servers &
Acolytes
Mondays 7pm @ Blacktown
Thursdays 7pm @ Penrith
20 February 23 February
27 February & 6 March 2 & 9 March
13 & 20 March 16 & 23 March
27 March 30 March
1 & 8 May 4 & 11 May
For more information about these courses and to register,
please contact the Office for Worship tel (02) 8838 3456 or visit
www.parracatholic.org.au/office-for-worship
22 CatholicOutlook DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 www.catholicoutlook.org