PN Issue 38 20151202 - WordPress.com€¦ · 2/12/2015 · St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Cnr Exford & Wilson Roads Melton South, VIC 3338 Tel: 03 9747 9692 Fax: 03 9746 0422

December 1, 2015 Issue 38

If you are interested to help in any of the tasks in the produc-tion of the Padua News, please contact any one of the commit-tee members or email: [email protected]

Thank you. Padua News Committee Dolores Turcsan Doris Bonello Edwina La Rose Lorraine Tellis Rebecca Comini Ken Dumandan Imalsha Silva Kim Barton Godwin Barton

Padua News is the official quarterly Newsletter of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Cnr Exford & Wilson Roads Melton South, VIC 3338 Tel: 03 9747 9692 Fax: 03 9746 0422 Email: [email protected] Parish Priest: Father Fabian Smith Assistant Priest: Father John-Paul Mount

Message from Father Fabian

will, but not before prophesy-ing, “you shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven and with power.” He speaks of His Second Com-ing. 2015 years ago He came in weakness, and at the end of time He will come in pow-er to judge the living and the dead. At Christmas we cele-brate both Christ’s birth and His Second Coming. In Ad-vent we prepare for both too.

God came first as a vulnera-ble baby to move our hearts to pity, to conversion, so that we might be saved. He is a baby, sensitive to our love, vulnerable to how we treat Him. At Christmas let our hearts cradle Him in His weakness, and trust in His all-powerful providence.

Padua News This issue of Padua News is also published on the Parish Website

http://stanthonysmeltonsouth.wordpress.com/padua-news/

Nine months ago, on the Feast of the Annunciation, we celebrated the greatest event in history, completely unknown to the world, the Incarnation of God as man in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Quem totus non capit orbis, in tua se clausit vis-cera factus homo”- He whom the whole world cannot hold enclosed Himself in thy womb, and became man.” In the Nativity we think about God’s greatness, made into what is weak. God made Himself vulnera-ble to show His power. Her-od through violence believes he has power, yet the Holy Family and the Three Kings are guided safely from his soldiers. The Inn keepers who turned away a pregnant mother believe that acting in self-interest gives them con-trol over their happiness, yet all they do is rob themselves of the presence of the Holy Family- what a regret! In the Nativity story God shows that His trustworthy provi-dence, which works silently and usually thanklessly, in working in all things to ac-complish His will. God made Himself weak even to being put to death. Early Eastern iconography has Jesus wrapped tight in

swaddling clothes mimick-ing the burial cloths He will be wrapped in when laid in the tomb. The manger, a place of eating, is a refer-ence to the Eucharist, mak-ing the manger the first altar of sacrifice. The first saints of the New Cove-nant were the Holy Inno-cents, the first martyrs who died in the name of Christ. I am a priest by ordination, but Jesus was always a priest, by His Incarnation, so even as a baby He was the Eternal High Priest and Victim offering a perfect and acceptable sacrifice to the Father. Mary and Jo-seph, laying their child on the first altar, the manger, gave perfect thanks to God the Father. Here is a medita-tion for Mass! Baptised ba-bies participate fully in the Mass, and well may their parents bring them to Mass (I know, sometimes it’s im-possible!), to be offered with thanksgiving, so that their family “may be filled with every grace and heav-enly blessing.” It was not Jesus’ time to die at the hands of Herod. Later He would make Himself weak too. At the Sanhedrin, before Caiaphas, He gave Himself into their hands according to the Father’s

Many blessings Fr John-Paul Mount

Message from Fr John-Paul Mount

May the warmth and joy of the Christmas Season remain with you throughout the coming year!

FROM: FR FABIAN SMITH AND FR JOHN-PAUL MOUNT

Padua News Issue 38 Page 2

Message from Fr Daryl Montecillo

The last couple of months have been both the busiest and hectic but also full of great joy with ordination and all the festivities. By the time you read this, I will have begun my new role as Assistant Priest at the Parish of Laverton, Altona Meadows and Point Cook. I am truly blest to have been able to spend this last year with you. The Parish of St Anthony of Padua, Mel-ton South really takes after its heav-enly patron. It is not an overly wealthy parish but one which is rich with such a vibrant life and deep sense of community which is grow-ing from strength to strength. Like St Anthony, the parish is a wonder worker. In the short time I was there, I saw it grow immensely, evi-dent in the parish hosting a deacon, a seminarian and now an assistant priest!

As a deacon living in the seminary and busy writing my synthesis , I was unfortunately only able to be with you once a fortnight on weekends which also meant not taking part in a lot of the Parish’s rich life through-out each week. This however didn’t stop everyone from really making me feel welcome and becoming a part of the place. I felt very much at home every time I came to the parish. I’m only sorry I didn’t get round to visit-ing everyone. I must here make a point of thanking Fr Fabian. He has been so very gen-erous and kind to me and has been a great priestly example of servant leadership. I have certainly learnt a lot from him. Thanks also to Br Mi-chael Buck who I got to know even better once he began at the parish as well as Fr John Paul who has been a strong support leading up to ordina-tion. There certainly are too many to

mention but I would like to thank the Parish Secretary Lesley Morffew and Godwin Barton and all the Parish Council for all their support. Finally I need to thank each and eve-ry one of you, parishioners of St An-thony’s Melton South. I leave you now, having grown a lot in this year which has perhaps been one of the most important in my life. In a real way, you have begun to teach me what it means to be a priest. I am sure I will be a better Christian and a better priest from having been with you. God bless you all. Please pray for me that I will be a good and faithful priest after the Heart of our Lord. Let’s pray for each other.

Submitted by: Fr Daryl Montecillo

Top: Fr Daryl’s Ordination on September 16, 2015 Right: Fr Daryl celebrating Mass at St Anthony’s on October 3, 2015


Greetings from Rome - Br Michael Buck!

Greetings from Rome to all the dear parishioners at Melton South! It has been a number of months now since I finished my time in the parish, yet I am happy to say that in the time that has passed, my fond memories have not faded. I frequently think back on my time in the parish and keep you all in prayer. Often when I think of someone in particular, I ask myself “I wonder what has happened to so-and-so regarding x” or “I wonder what is news with so-and-so other?” Perhaps some of you have had similar thoughts, wondering how I have been going in Rome. When I arrived in Rome at the begin-ning of July, Italy was experiencing one of its worst heat-waves in recent times. Two days in my first week were 43 degrees, and no day was less than 38. I have never been so hot in my life! It certainly made an impres-sion. I was pleased then to leave Rome after the first week of orienta-tion to move to Assisi, the city of St. Francis and St. Claire, for a month of intensive Italian language study. Assi-si was cooler in terms of the weather, but it was also something of a spiritu-al oasis in a time of significant change. I enjoyed very much my time there, learning a lot of Italian and getting to know the other seminari-ans better. After that month, we moved back to the seminary in Rome, for another month of Italian study, interspersed with many welcomes, introductions,

and conferences. Rome had cooled down by then, but the seminary schedule was different every day because of the various classes and events, and that was pretty exhausting. I was very glad when we reached the be-ginning of October and finally began classes at the university. Now, I have been going to classes for five weeks, and I finally feel like I am settling in to a regular, or at least semi-regular, schedule. The seminary I am part of here is the Pontifical North American College. It is the seminary of the USA, and it is enor-mous. There are just over 250 semi-narians here, and then many priests, nuns and laypeople on staff. The University which I attend is the Gre-gorian University, run by the Jesuits. It’s about a half-hour walk from the seminary, and there are students there from all over the world. Both institutions have long histories, and provide opportunities that just wouldn’t be possible in Australia. It is a great privilege to be formed to be a priest here. One important lesson that the whole experience of coming to Rome has taught me thus far is the necessity of building my life on the foundation of my relationship with Christ. When everything else is taken away, all that I can be sure that I will always have is

Christ. Moving away from family, friends and everything familiar, has helped me to focus ever more on the Lord Jesus and my dependence on Him. I think this is the same for all of us, even if not always seen so clearly, that as we move through life and its changes and surprises, we need to have Jesus

with us as the constant anchor of reference and support, otherwise we risk being swept away by our chal-lenges. My other main reflection is that of gratitude. Coming to Rome has led me to think back on my life thus far and see the many ways in which God has blessed me. At the same time, looking at my present situation, I am overwhelmed with the blessing I have been given to be formed to be a priest in the heart of the Church, at one of the world’s best seminaries, and only a stone’s throw away (at least relative to Australia) from places in Europe of great historical and cul-tural importance. Please know of my regular thoughts and prayers for you all. My experi-ence in the parish has made me impa-tient to finish my studies and get to work in pastoral ministry, but at the same time it highlighted the im-portance of my formation and the need for me to grow to be the best priest I can be so that my ministry may be more fruitful. Please continue to pray for me as I do for you!

Submitted by: Br Michael Buck


Source: Unknown

What goes Oh, Oh, Oh,? Santa in reverse Son: Mum, can I have a dog for Christmas? Mom: No! You’ll have ham like the rest of us! What happened to the boy who ate the Christmas decorations? He got tinsel-it is! How do you know when Santa’s in the room? You can see his presents! What’s red and white, red and white, red and white? Santa Claus rolling down the hill ! Why wasn’t the turkey hungry at Christmas time? He was stuffed! Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters? They are always dropping their needles!

What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? A snowball ! What did the ghost say to Santa Claus? I’ll have a boo Christmas without you What do you get if you cross an apple and a Christmas tree? Pineapple ! What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa when she looked in the sky? Looks like rain, dear ! What Christmas carol is a favourite of parents? Silent Night ! Where do mistletoe go to become famous? “Holly”, Wood ! Why do Mummies like Christmas so much? Because of all the wrapping !

CHRISTMAS JOKES

On our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October this year, we briefly stopped in Rome for a few days. We caught up with Michael Buck, our well-known seminarian from Melton South. He was extremely happy to see familiar faces from the parish especially the jar of Vegemite which he dearly missed. For security reasons, we could not bring it into the Vatican howev-er after Pope Frances left we got it back with much relief to Michael!

Brother Michael sends his love to all and asks that we remem-ber him in our prayers.

Submitted by: Ben Antony

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!

A visit to Rome and meeting our well-known seminarian from Melton South!

Submitted by: Lorraine Tellis


Christmas as celebrated by other Cultures

WearefamiliarwithtraditionalChristmascelebrationshereinAustralia‐Turkey,roasts,Christmaspudding,pavlova,presentsetc,buthowdootherculturescelebrateChristmas?Iinterviewedafewyoungpeopleandamongstthequestionsaskedwere:What are your fondest memories of Christmas celebrated when growing up? What is the common tradition for celebrating Christmas in your home? What food is usually cooked during Christmas in your family? What is your favourite Christmas carol/song? How do you prepare spiritually for Christmas? Whilstthereweresomedifferences,therewerealsoalotofsimilarities,herearesomeofthe indings!

the start of Advent. For Christmas we always have new bedsheets, cur-tains and clothes. We usually celebrate by having par-ties together with the whole family, having lunch which extends to din-ner, into the late night.

My favourite Christmas Carol is Jin-gle Bells - because it’s a happy tune! I prepare for Christmas by going for Confessions. I also donate to the Salvation Army, giving gifts to the needy – thinking about others during the Advent season.

I come from a background of Philip-pines and Mauritian. So depending on which side of the family we go to, we have: Adobo, Fried Rice, Curry, Spring Rolls, which is the Philippine side of my family and Indian based food – curry, fish, meat, which is form the Mauritian side of my family. As a child, I used to prepare for Christmas by attending Mass. Now, I have a more spiritual approach– reflecting on why Jesus was born – an outcome of my Spriituality from being a child to now. Joy to the World would have to be my favourite Christmas carol – be-cause it is Joy to the World!

Irene Fernandes My fondest memory of Christmas is last year when my whole family all got together – it was very enjoyable with everyone around. We traditionally celebrate Christmas with all the fami-ly members getting together. I am born in Australia but the tradi-tional food cooked at home is usually food from where my mum and dad came from, India. Traditionally we have Turkey curry/vindaloo, roast duck, red and orange sticky rice pi-lau. And when we went to Calcutta for Christmas one year, we had Pork brain! One of the traditions we keep is set-ting up of Christmas tree/lights at

Faustina Ma’ae My fondest memory of Christmas was when we went to Samoa for five weeks during the Christmas period with all the family. Meeting all the extended members of the family and visiting the various houses. We had different things planned everyday, tours, get-togethers, visiting different towns, etc. In Samoa, we gather around 5-6am for Mass for eight days before Christ-mas, wishing everyone a happy Christmas. The traiditional food cooked in Sa-moa is the Umu, which is taro/pig on hot rocks cooked for two hours. My favourite Christmas Carol is Silent Night. I prepare for Christmas by practising the Communion of reparition – taught by the Brothers. I also do my preparation using CARE, acronym for:

C onfesssion A doration R osary E ucharist

Gavin Maitre My fondest memory of Christmas is the Family getting togethers and of course presents! Submitted by: Kim Barton


Some of the activities you may have missed in 2015!

Br Michael’s Candidacy at St Anthony’s

Hopper’s Night at St Anthony’s

International Food Festival held in con-junction with Feast of St Anthony’s

Completion of Memorial Book

Children’s liturgy i

Lenten workshop at St Anthony’s

Deacon Daryl’s fornightly visits to Melton South

St Anthony’s welcomes Fr John-Paul Mount

Our very own DVD library


Some of the activities you may have missed in 2015!

Annual Dinner and Dance 2015

Fr Fabian’s 10th Ordination

New kneelers at Mary, Help of Christians’s Statue

Family Day organised by the Brothers of Two Hearts and our Youth Group

Cuppa for the parishion-ers after Annointing of the sick Mass at church

Symbolon in progress


NASA Sacrament Program

sacrament eg. Reconciliation, Com-munion and Confirmation for more individual sacrament instruction. The NASA Sacrament program is run by Fr Fabian, with help from the catechists. The children appre-ciate the time that Fr Fabian and the catechists put in. After these initial eight weeks be-fore each sacrament, the children have a retreat day which gives the children a revision class and where they also practice for the receiving of their sacraments. Before each sacrament the chil-dren attend a Commitment Mass in which they show their commit-ment for their upcoming Sacra-ment. In conclusion the children of the NASA Sacrament program are giv-en an opportunity to receive an overall instruction about their reli-gion including specific instruction related to the Sacrament that they will be receiving.

I would also like to take this time to thank Fr Fabian and the cate-chists for their time in running this program. Without them the program would not exist and the children who attend schools other than St. Anthony’s would not be able to receive their sacraments. Submitted by: Melissa Patullo

My name is- Melissa Patullo a n d I spent my childhood years living in Gladstone Park and was a part of the Good Shepherd P a r i s h . I married my husband Bradley Patullo in 1996 at my Parish church and moved to Melton to live. Since liv-ing in Melton we have been a part of the Saint Anthony Parish. We have two boys Mathew and Paul who are presently taking part.in the sacramental program at St. Antho-ny’s.

The NASA Sacrament program is a program for children who do not attend St. Anthony’s Primary School. The program is run over an eight week period at the beginning of the year. During these eight weeks the children are given an overall in depth instruction about their reli-gion. The children do activities to-gether and watch movies as a whole group. The children also break up into their respective groups for each

The Holy Family Room

The room that we now call The Holy Family Room used to be just a kitchen used to prepare food for functions at the church, including the Weekend Cup-pa which is held once a month after every Mass. This room was discussed at the Council meetings and Fr Fabian came up with the idea to do some refur-bishment and make it into a room for parents with young children. By doing so, the parents can still par-ticipate in Mass while the children can play in the room without disturbing other parishioners and at the same time, be safe within the confines of the room under the watchful eyes of their parents. Work started on the room with the renovations - new carpets were put in, the room was painted and a new projector with a big screen was installed. We then needed a name for the room. There were some suggestions from Parishioners. However, dur-ing one of his travels, Fr Fabian came home with a beautiful picture of the Holy Family and decided to put it in this room (see right). For those who haven't

seen the picture yet, make a point the next time you are at church to have a look at it. During one of the Council Meetings the name for the room came up again. Fr Fabian and the council members agreed unanimously to name the room The Holy Family Room. Now the room is used for Week-end Cuppa, preparing food for functions, Meetings, Workshops and for some parents who use the room during weekend Mass-es. We are working to ensure that the room is kept clean at all times and we trust that all users of the room will endeavour to do the same. Thank you!

Submitted by: Carmen Vella


Hello from George and Supriya My wife Supriya and I moved to Melton recently from Glenroy to make our travel to workplace easier. I am an Audiologist and Su-priya is a disability support worker. Supriya holds credentials of speech pathologist as well. After shifting, a place to continue to grow in our faith was our first priority and Google helped us to find this wonderful Church We love the spiritual atmosphere at this church, Holy Mass and homily, other services and of course the choir. We were privileged to receive a warm welcome from the church members and priests. We are looking forward to meet you all soon.

Submitted by: George Nooromplakal

Getting to know—George & Supriya

For more information, please contact Rosabella Tuala on Mobile: 0422 390 617 or Home Phone: (03) 9743 8921

Legion of Mary

Submitted by: Rosabella Tuala

WHAT IS IT?

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Cath-olic Church, with well over three million active members in almost every country of the world. The Legion of Mary has been approved by the last six Popes, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members. WHAT DOES IT DO?

Members become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer and service. Works include door-to-door evangelization, parishioner visita-tion, prison ministry, visitation of the sick or aged, crowd contact, religious educa-tion, visiting the newly baptized, Pilgrim Virgin Statue rotations, and meeting the other spiritual needs of the parish community. Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director named by the priest or the priest himself. The Legion is, in essence, an extension of the heart and hands of the priest.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Members meet once a week for prayer, planning and discussion in a family setting. Then they do two hours of definite work each week in pairs and under the guid-ance of their spiritual director.

WHO CAN BELONG?

The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who: Faithfully practice their religion; Are animated by the desire to participate in the Church's apostolate through membership in the Legion; Are prepared to fulfil each and every duty which active membership in the Le-gion involves WHEN IS IT HELD AT ST. ANTHONY’S?

Every Wednesday at 6.00pm.


The Year of Mercy

called the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone. At the start of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis will open a special holy door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It will become ‘a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope’. As a sign of communion of the whole Church, the pope has request-ed that every diocese in the world open a similar “door of mercy” for the local celebrations of the Jubilee. To mark the opening of the Jubilee here in Melbourne, a special holy door of mercy will be opened by Archbishop Denis Hart at St Pat-rick’s Cathedral on Sunday 13 De-cember at 2.30pm. Entitled ‘Walking Into Mercy’, individuals and groups from around the archdiocese are in-vited to make a special pilgrimage to the Cathedral, as an outward sign of solidarity with those most in need of God’s endless mer-cy and compassion. As Pope Francis challenged his pa-rishioners to ‘house the stranger’ in the wake of Syrian ref-ugee crisis in Eu-rope, we too are challenged to live and share God’s mercy more effec-tively in our own lives and communi-ties.

Following the opening of the door of mercy, Archbishop Hart will lead a prayer service and commissioning. Each pilgrim is invited to carry a photo of someone who has been merciful to them, or someone they wish to pray for during this Jubilee, and place it on a ‘wall of mercy’ up-on arrival at the Cathedral. Full details of the program will be made available closer to the date on the Archbishop’s Office for Evange-lisation website: www.cam.org.au/evangelisation.

Reprinted with permission from the Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation.

Submitted by: Rebecca Comini

Pope Francis has called the Church to focus on God’s mercy, with the declaration of the Extraordinary Jubi-lee Year of Mercy. The year officially begins on 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and will conclude on 13 November 2016. A jubilee year is a special year called by the church to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins. The tradition started about 700 years ago and 26 jubilees have been celebrated since. Of those, only three have been ‘extraordinary’ (including this Year of Mercy). In Pope Francis’ official proclamation of the Year of Mercy, the bull of in-diction entitled Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy), he explains how in Jesus Christ—through his words and actions—the mercy of God has been revealed. The theme for the year is: Be merci-ful, just as your Father is merciful. The opening date also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”

(cf. Lk 6:36).

Photograph by Fiona Basile

Faith Formation at St. Anthony’s during the Year of Mercy

There are some activities planned at St Anthony’s for the Year of Mercy: Symbolon, which will be happening every Sunday at 5.30pm, hosted by Fr Fabian Smith and Fr John-Paul Mount. The program will run from Sunday, 22nd November, until 29th May

2016 with a break over the Christmas holidays. This is an excellent op-portunity to gain a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of our faith.

‘Lectio Divina’ or ‘Divine Reading’ is Catholic study and prayerful medita-tion on the Scriptures. St Anthony’s, led by Fr Fabian, Fr John Paul and Naim Chdid, will move through passages of Gospel of Luke, starting dur-ing Advent on every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturday of the month from 9.30am-10.30am. There will be a break during the Christmas holiday period.


Laudato si’ - The Encyclical letter of the Holy Father, Francis

with justice in relation to the environ-ment, not only in our own local mi-lieu, but also at the highest levels of politics and organization, nationally and internationally. What we do in and on the environment in which we live directly affects us all, near and far. Pope Francis uses a new term ‘integral ecology’ to make many of his points. By this he means that eve-rything is connected and interde-pendent, from the smallest organism to our highest spiritual aspirations as humans. It is easy to see how con-taminated food might affect our health; or polluted rivers affect all the smallest microorganisms and thence the food chain. The neglect of paying proper attention to our environment is a betrayal of our natural responsi-bility to care creatively and wisely for our home. Laudato si’ invites dialogue between the different audiences to which it is directed. It respects those without faith, but has a special message to those with faith. He brings to the fore what he sees as the major threats to our home, physically, environmen-tally, culturally, morally and ethically, treating of them as consequences of our spiritual state – almost as signs of spiritual disarray. He is controversial in what he brings forward. For exam-ple, he is critical of capitalism and of our use of fossil fuels. He pushes hard against western values of abun-dance and aspiration for wealth. He brings to mind the dark side of so called progress, and calls for modera-tion, not excess. He reminds us that respect for our environment and life includes that of the unborn, not just forests and streams. It is interesting that the media and international gath-erings have commented on the en-cyclical (and its papal authority), ad-mittedly to bolster some partisan view while overlooking Francis’ cen-tral argument concerning integral ecology. The encyclical has 6 chapters and 246

paragraphs. It invites the reader to put on the mind of St Francis and see God through his Creation, to know him as present with us in our vocation to build a civilization of love in our common home. We are stewards. We do not own the planet (or the universe), but receive it as a stupendous gift, with its own unfold-ing drama, and in which every part can impart an image of the divine being. Integral ecology invites us to think differently: God is present in - over, behind and underneath - all things, holding them together in uni-ty. This includes, of course, the ex-traordinary trust He gives us to use well the powers of inquiry, creativity, reason and responsible choosing that we can find in ourselves. In the next few editions of Padua News, I will offer some reflections on the encyclical. In this first part, I will outline its structure in order to orient us to its scope and content. In the meantime, you might find it profitable to download the full text from the internet and read the docu-ment yourself. As a start, however, to entice you to read the encyclical, you may find it helpful to read the chapter headings

On Care for Our Common Home Some reflections by John Little

The Holy Father, Francis, opens his latest encyclical with the words “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore” - “Praised be you, my Lord”, taken from St Fran-cis’ Canticle of the Creatures. This sets the scope and tone of what he wants to write to all men and women. You may thus find it helpful to read St Francis’ Canticle in full: Praised be you, my Lord, with all your crea-tures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of you, Most High. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures. Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Our Holy Father, Francis, writes with a special intimacy and gentleness. He calls us brothers and sisters, and re-minds us that we share this wonder-fully glorious and unique planet Earth as our home. As a good father might with his own family, he calls on us all to be mindful and take good care of our home, always within view of our Heavenly Father. This is an encyclical with a difference. It takes our physical environment very seriously. It is a social encyclical, in that it calls us to act collaboratively Continued on next page


Laudato si’ - The Encyclical letter of the Holy Father, Francis (continued from previous page)

3. The human roots of the ecological crisis. Francis draws our attention to technology – creativity and power; the globalization of the technological paradigm; the crisis and effects of modern anthropocentrism. 4. Integral ecology. Francis draws out the meaning of this term: environmental, economic and social ecology; cultural ecology; ecology of daily life; justice between the genera-tions. 5. Lines of approach and ac-tion. Francis invites dialogue: on the environment in the international community; for new national and local policies; transparency in deci-sion-making; politics and economy in dialogue for human fulfillment; reli-gions in dialogue with science. 6. Ecological education and spirituality. Francis finishes with a flourish: Towards a new lifestyle; educating for the covenant between humanity and the environment; eco-logical conversion; joy and peace; civic and political love; sacramental signs and the celebration of rest; the Trinity and the relationship between

creatures; Queen of all creation; Be-yond the Sun. Francis finishes with A Prayer for our Earth; and a Christian Prayer in union with creation. I will offer more in subsequent edi-tions of Padua News. In the mean-time, should you read the encyclical, I would be thrilled to read any reflec-tion or comment you might have. Send them to [email protected], for our next edition – I’m sure the parish com-munity would also like to read them.

and subheadings. Thus you may get a sense of what lies in store for your own reflective and serious read. There is much wisdom and faith-inspired truths that pervade the docu-ment, though suffice to say, it has not been without controversy. Cardinal Pell even weighed in with some help-ful clarifications about papal authori-ty, science and climate change. I’ll discuss this later. These are the chapter headings and their themes: 1. What is happening to our common home. Here Francis deals with pollution and climate change; water; loss of biodiversity; decline in the quality of human life and the breakdown of society; global inequali-ty; weak responses; a variety of opin-ions. 2. The gospel of creation. Francis writes of the light offered by faith; the wisdom of the biblical ac-counts; the mystery of the universe; the message of each creature in the harmony of creation; a universal com-munion; the common destination of goods; the gaze of Jesus.

Camino Santiago De Compostela

The way of St James is the second greatest pilgrimage in the world. For more than 1200 years it has been walked for various reasons; religious, spiritual, hiking or a special lifetime experience. An 800km journey across Northern Spain, from the French Spanish bor-der in the Pyrenees, the final destina-tion is Santiago De Compostela, Spain. In its Cathedral lie the vener-ated remains of St James. Known by its popular name The Camino or The Way, it is marked by yellow arrows hand painted on paths, roads, posts and various buildings. Also along most paths and roads to Santiago are concrete or old stone

markers with the famous yellow and blue shell, the ancient Camino sym-bol. Beginning in St Jean Pied De Port, France, the pilgrim office will issue a passport and it must be stamped each day at your place of accommodation to qualify for a Compostela(the cer-tificate validating completion of pil-grimage). The first destination is RONCE-VALLES, Spain, via a hard stony and extremely steep trail over the biggest mountain on the Camino. The first few days are the hardest, but to fully enjoy this experience, walk only 20 to 25km each day.

The Camino de Santiago, also known by the English names Way of St. James, St. James's Way, St. James's Path, St. James's Trail, Route of Santiago de Compostela, and Road to Santiago, is the name of any of the pilgrim-age routes (most commonly the Camino Francés or French route) to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many take up this route as a form of spiritu-al path or retreat for their spiritual growth.

Read the encyclical The English text of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si'” is available on the Vatican’s website. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

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Submitted by: John Little

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Always start at 7am(no later) and fin-ish walking by 2pm,(walking in the afternoon sun can quickly blister the feet). Avoid having a long breakfast, instead stop at a cafe after walking maybe 5km. Accommodation is easier to get be-fore 2.00pm so you can get cleaned and any washing done early. The villages still have traditional sies-ta and everything is closed and quiet till 5.00pm. As siesta ends the village squares begin to fill with families and friends bringing their food and just sitting about outside the cafes. Always a peaceful spirit of communi-ty and friendship pervades,and come 7pm,the bells of the nearby church ring for Rosary and Mass. PAMPLOMA, LEON,ASTORGA and BURGOS are the large cities you will see on the Camino but all very different and fascinating in their own special way with their beautiful an-cient cathedrals, monasteries and cas-tles. Many experiences on the Camino will touch the heart. These two were spe-cial... Walking into a village hoping to find breakfast, all is quiet and everything closed. I walk a further 2km, then suddenly to my left, I hear someone calling me to come down from the road. Not easy to see, as it is down from a curve, is a small stone cafe. Standing outside is the owner waving me to come for breakfast. I accept his invitation. In gratitude he pro-duces a large box filled with Miracu-

lous Medals. He insists I accept a medal as his special gift and in per-fect English says, 'Mary, bless his journey'. This is a special place (Rabe de Las Calzadas) I have met a special per-son. And special also was this experi-ence… Drenched by heavy rain, I am forced to stop at a small village to dry. I decide to stay and while ex-ploring this old village, I find an an-cient church. Inside is a priest saying Mass in English. He introduces him-self as Fr. Frank from Chicago. Be-cause the movie “The Way” has a priest named Fr.Frank, I thought he was joking. That evening at the only village cafe, I see him talking to each person there. Very curious about Australia and especially the people there, he sits down and we share a pilgrim meal together. Later another pilgrim confides that Fr.Frank has suffered from a chronic stomach ill-ness for years requiring heavy medi-cation. (I had observed he only ate half his meal) This is a hard walk. He won't make it. I forget my own pain and silently pray for him. Some days later, I have climbed the last high mountain before Santiago, now just 170km away. Exhausted, I stay at the only hotel. During my sleep a nightmare causes my falling onto the stone floor and refracturing my spine. I am still 6 days from San-tiago with no medical facilities near-by. Descending steep downward trails is now more painful than climb-ing. Further along appears a trail to Samos and I decide to visit that fa-mous ancient monastery. (12km south off the Camino). Arriving final-ly, I attend mass at this huge monas-tery and stay overnight underneath the ancient building. Next morning to my surprise, there is Fr. Frank at the cafe opposite and I join him for breakfast. To get back onto the Camino, we walk to Sarria. I walk on, but Fr. Frank is unwell and de-cides to stop.

Finally, I am 2 days from Santiago and it is raining heavily. The trail becomes muddy, slippery and very dangerous. Each day now takes 8 full hours of walking in non stop heavy rain. Com-pletely drenched I am also in extreme pain. (20% of my spine was acci-dentally fractured 6 weeks before starting). Still raining heavily, I finally arrive and find my hotel to dry before visiting the famous cathedral to thank St James and Our Lady of the Way, but fall asleep from exhaustion. Next day I awake just in time for the mid-day mass, hoping to see the ancient ritual of the giant incense burner be-ing swung before the famous relic, the head of St James, encased in a golden statue above the altar. (This ritual is only on certain feast days or when a donation is made). There I see others I've met on the Camino, but many are not here. Then mass begins and 3 priests in red robes approach the altar. To my complete amazement, one is Fr. Frank. And unexpectedly another sur-prise.....a father and daughter are es-corted inside the altar rails. She has made the donation for her father's birthday. Mass finishes and music fills the whole cathedral, then as the traditional hymn is sung, the giant incense burner is lowered down from above …. The incense begins to burn and it is swiftly hoisted high above the altar. Four robed men heave the ropes back and forth and it swings higher and higher through the transepts belching smoke over the congregation below. To see this ancient ritual is a truly moving and surreal experience. Interested in more? Visit: frfrankscamino.com

Submitted by: John Pound

Camino Santiago De Compostela (continued from previous page)

& sse 9 5&u dev. e c g c o c.co


CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY PAGE

Source: www.ActivityVillage.co.uk—Keeping Kids Busy

Colour in the pictures below. Cut out the picture carefully.

Paste it on a cardboard of the same size. Punch a hole at the top of the picture.

Attach a ribbon and hang it up on your Christmas tree.

Submitted by: Lorraine Tellis


Submissions for next newsletter

All Parishioners are welcome to give their suggestions. If you have any article of interest for the next newsletter, please submit them to the Parish Office or email to: [email protected] by January 31, 2016

Editorial Policy The Padua News is approved by Fr Fabian Smith prior to printing. The editors and Fr Fabian reserve the right to edit all articles submitted. Articles may be reproduced with permission from the writer and editor.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY PAGE

All these words came from the Christmas story. Can you unscramble them?

1. STRA _ _ _ _ 2. CSHATMRIS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. MAGREN _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. MYAR _ _ _ _ 5. RDHEPHES _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6. SEPHE _ _ _ _ _ 7. STBALE _ _ _ _ _ _ 8. LIMYAF _ _ _ _ _ _ 9. JPHOES _ _ _ _ _ _ 10. DOEYKN _ _ _ _ _ _ 11. AEGLN _ _ _ _ _ 12. JSSEU _ _ _ _ _ 13. KIGSN _ _ _ _ _ 14. BBAY _ _ _ _ 15. RAST _ _ _ _

UNSCRAMBLE THE WORDS HELP SANTA FIND HIS WAY TO DELIVER HIS PRESENTS!

With the world at our fingertips, and technology being so portable, I just wanted to bring to your attention some iPad applications I have found to be useful, and not just fun timewasters! The first three are apps for the Bible. They are “Bible Study”, “Glo Bible”, and “Bible Gateway”. All three apps allow you to search bible passages and even par-ticular words or phrases. The app called “Laudate”, has a variety of sections including Daily Prayers, Readings and Saints of the Day, the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Vati-can Documents. I have also found a few apps to help us to say the Rosary. “Rosary Pro” and “Scriptural Rosary Lite” offer beautiful artwork, bible readings for each prayer and an audio track to pray along to (In a variety of languages). All of these apps are free. So just visit the App Store are download some of these to help improve your prayer life. (Beware, when looking for apps, make sure they are Catholic)

Being Catholic in the 21st Century!

Submitted by: Edwina La Rose

Issue 38 Page 16 Padua News

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