CO_Mar17_WEB

More documents

Recommendations

Info

DIOCESAN NEWS Culture Project reclaims love from distorted culture By Jordan Grantham OONE DAY, FRANCES HOPKINS was contacted by a girl who was pregnant, alone and afraid. “She just needed someone to say ‘You are such a brave and incredible woman’ and needed someone to believe in her,” Frances said. “She said ‘I can’t kill my baby, can you help me?’” Frances told Catholic Outlook. Then only 18 years old herself, Frances decided to support this younger woman in any way she could. “I know the little boy and he is four years old now and he almost didn’t make it.” This is Frances’ personal catalyst for involvement in The Culture Project Australia. Launched on the night of Frances’ university graduation, the Australian spin-off of The Culture Project International reaches 5000 young people each year through schools, conferences, youth groups and their own monthly event, Restore nights. Now in its third year, The Culture Project Australia has brought on a new missionary, who is a full-time speaker about human Frances Hopkins has been with The Culture Project since it was first launched. Photo: Kate Capato. dignity and sexual integrity. Chris Da Silva spent two years with The Culture Project Australia and is now entering his vocation. Katherine Turnbull is joining The Culture Project as a missionary for 2017. “I’m so pleased to be dedicating this year to an organisation that has authentic, boundary-crossing love for people at its heart, and that so fearlessly makes a real difference, one encounter at a time,” Katherine said. The Culture Project Australia creates custom presentations as well as multiple standard talks and modules that are given from the perspective of humour, personal stories and natural law. “They reach down to the core of what it is to be human, humanity’s desires for love, the way the culture twists those, making us doubt our self-worth,” Frances said. The Culture Project members receive their training in the US in June each year. Speakers include Matt Fradd and Stephanie Grey. Frances has an education qualification, Mental Health and First Aid training, and a Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts. Katherine Turnbull is joining The Culture Project as a missionary. Photo: Jazz Chalouhi. Bella Augimeri played guitar and sang at last month’s Restore night. Photo: Jordan Grantham. When young people present mental health concerns, The Culture Project refers them to relevant medical professionals. The first Restore night for 2017 was held at the Commercial Hotel in Parramatta on 6 February. Bella Augimeri played guitar and sang for an hour before and after a talk on freedom by Fr Warren Edwards, Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. This was the first time a clergyman has addressed Restore. Fr Warren gave a brief overview of civilisations from the ancient city of Ur to the modern day. He focussed on the legal and inter-personal aspects of freedom. Fr Warren referred to the greatest commandment from Christ. “I set you free, I give you only two rules: love God and love one another,” he said, interpreting scripture. A common culture based on Christ’s teaching can create a greater sense of freedom. “We did not have a set of rules read out to us tonight …” he said. The Christian views sin as the opposite of freedom. Even in most Christian societies there is evil and enslavement to sin. “Now all of this wasn’t rosy of course … sin exists,” Fr Warren said. Restore nights are held on the first Monday of each month, focussing on a talk by a visiting speaker. People are encouraged to have a meal and enjoy the music gigs that start and close the night. Previous speakers include Chantale Ishac, Chris Lee and Judi Limbers. Chantale is an expert on addiction in sports from Addiction Intervention. Chris Lee was named a 2017 Hills Citizen of the Year for leading men’s health Conviction Group. Judi Limbers is a fashion designer and women’s self-image activist. The next Restore night will be on Monday 3 April at the Commercial Hotel, 2 Hassall St, Parramatta. Young adults aged 18-35 are welcome. For more information about The Culture Project visit www.restoreculture.com Join The Culture Project Australia on Facebook. Sign up to be the first to find out when the app is released! The Diocese of Parramatta is developing an app to help you keep in touch with what is happening in the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Go to www.parracatholic.org/app or scan the QR code. 24 CatholicOutlook MARCH 2017 www.catholicoutlook.org
PERMANENT DIA<strong>CO</strong>NATE Deacon Owen Rogers: a life blessed by God’s presence By Jordan Grantham DEA<strong>CO</strong>N OWEN ROGERS is based in Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook, and has served as a deacon for seven years, after his noted career in the Royal Australian Navy. He was appointed Pastoral Director of the Formation Committee for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta in February this year for a term of three years. The centre of Deacon Owen’s faith is serving God in the Church and sacramental ministries. The ordained ministry of the permanent deacon requires men who desire to serve Christ in the Mass. “The miracle of God’s physical presence to us at every Mass is the truest testament to Christ’s love for us and his desire for each of us to have a personal relationship with him,” he said. Deacon Owen’s tribe is a pillar of the community in Western Sydney. He and his wife, Jeanette, have nine children, 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Deacon Owen is able to engage with people’s issues and utilise his skills as a husband and father. He said the Navy taught him self-discipline, trust, leadership and strategic thinking. His dedication to service is extraordinary. Deacon Owen has served in the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State Council for 21 years. As a deacon, he visits patients in Nepean Hospital and takes communion to those parishioners who are housebound. Deacon Owen praises the enormous frontline charitable works of the Catholic Church. “It is good to know such services exist within the Church and as a deacon I can enable people and steer them in a direction that will be able to meet their immediate needs,” he said. “I’m conscious of the fact of being a link to those marginalised people and others in our community and enabling them to establish a stronger relationship with God, just by being present to them.” Born in Dublin, Ireland, he said the call to serve in ministry commenced at an early age, when priests visited schools and encouraged students to think about becoming a priest. “Becoming an altar boy at our local parish church was an exciting time, allowing one to learn Latin and also serve at Mass, “ he said. “This inner call to serve and help others remained with me throughout most of my working life.” In June, Deacon Owen and Jeanette will celebrate 55 years of marriage. They support each other, as one in heart and mind. “Jeanette and I met in January 1960 at a dance in Sydney. From the very beginning I had the feeling and I knew she was the one for me, but I did not let her know of this until later on when our relationship developed. “Jeanette gives her wholehearted support to me in my diaconate role. Where possible, she accompanies me to Mass, and to diaconate formation meetings, and retreat days. Our family is very supportive. “We have a deep emotional and spiritual recognition for each other and by this we can truly be ourselves in what we do. We often try to make each other feel special by not taking our relationship for granted.” The deacon’s routine of regular prayer has been helpful in their relationship. “Prayers during the day, evening and night prayers as well as the divine office, have certainly assisted us in our marital relationship,” he said. “My devotion to Mary, Our Blessed Mother has increased, enabling us to recite the holy rosary daily as a family. “We share our dreams, strengths, and vulnerabilities with each other and have a willingness to learn from each other. Jeanette is a very strong advocate on social justice.” Deacon Owen first considered the permanent diaconate after 27 years in the Navy. He made inquiries to the Diocese and commenced a Bachelor of Theology. He was ordained on 5 December 2009 after several years of pastoral formation courses and spiritual direction. In June this year, Deacon Owen and his wife, Jeanette, will celebrate 55 years of marriage. This inner call to serve and help others remained with me throughout most of my working life. The Ven Fulton Sheen is one of Deacon Owen’s inspirations, through Sheen’s powerful program, Life is Worth Living. The late Mother Mary Angelica of EWTN television and author Scott Hahn are other inspirations. Deacon Owen is also inspired by local clergy, including Very Rev Chris de Souza VG EV, who he describes as a “great natural homilist and director”, Fr Peter Confeggi, “a wonderful tutor and empowering leader”, and Fr George O’Mara, “a great mentor”. If you would like to find out more about the ordained ministry of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta visit: http://parracatholic.org/ permanent-diaconate/ If you would like to find out more about the ordained ministry of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta visit: http://parracatholic.org/ permanent-diaconate/ www.catholicoutlook.org MARCH 2017 CatholicOutlook 25
Page 1 and 2: CatholicOutlook The official public
Page 3 and 4: CatholicOutlook The official public
Page 5 and 6: DIOCESAN NEWS The Funeral Mass for
Page 7 and 8: DIOCESAN NEWS On Sunday 26 February
Page 9 and 10: Legal year commences with ecumenica
Page 11 and 12: Catholic Super shines in industry a
Page 13 and 14: NEWS & EVENTS Australian Catholic S
Page 15 and 16: www.parra.catholic.edu.au @Catholic
Page 17 and 18: DIOCESAN NEWS Faith a solid base fo
Page 19 and 20: Alessandro ‘sets out into the dee
Page 21 and 22: CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta
Page 23 and 24: Fr Denis Andrew: marathons and fath
Page 25: Patrick finds hope and healing in Y
Page 29 and 30: PROJECT COMPASSION Aloma’s commun
Page 31 and 32: DIOCESAN NEWS 800 gather for Mass f
Page 33 and 34: Church supports people experiencing
Page 35 and 36: ss the Diocese of Parramatta since

CO_Mar17_WEB

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?