riverland links - Our Lady of the River Parish

A Publication Of The
Catholic Parish Of Our
Lady of the River
PO Box 576, Berri. 5343
Vol: 17
Easter
2015
RIVERLAND LINKS
Issue: 1
Fr Paul Bourke
Coming to the Riverland has
been a gentle landing after my
many years outback and my recent encounters with 2 “pet
dogs”. I am happy to be among you all and especially at this time of Catholic rebirth for our
various Faith Communities as Our Lady of the
River Parish.
Having grown up on a farm on Eyre Peninsula
and serving in various Country Parishes, I understand admire and love all the rivalries that
exist as well as the respect that underlies
much of it.
Fr John Stuart-James
Considerable effort is placed on
advertising at this time of year.
Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies have decorated the supermarket shelves for several weeks already, in
fact all through the Lenten season. It must
have been very frustrating for anyone who decided to do some penance and give up eating
chocolate for Lent! Even more exasperating
perhaps is that the true meaning of Easter has
been all but forgotten amongst the commercialisation that inundates our society.
Beginning with Passion Sunday, the Christian
Church commences its celebration of what is
As the Riverland Catholic Community in this
known as Holy Week and leads us to what is
year of family we are reminded of our vocationknown as the Paschal Mystery: the suffering,
al obligations in our ordinary daily lives. What
death, and resurrection of Jesus. Unfortunatestories each of us hold, both happy and sad,
ly, few will take the time to reflect on the true
with the Love of God reflected in all times. We
meaning of the season and consider the great
are followers of Christ and seek to live the
love displayed by God in giving us a saviour in
Gospel Jesus in all of our relationships, bitter
the person we know as Jesus.
and sweet.
In the Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Lent we
In our Lenten discipline, we may have tried a
read that “God loved the World so much that
different form of Prayer, Worship, Involvement
he gave us his only begotten Son, that all who
in Church or Community, rather than just the
believe in him might not perish but have eternal
giving up things for Lent. Old habits rarely die,
life” (the Gospel of Saint John 3:16). This is
so with all of our efforts we face the same husomething to ponder seriously. It is not some
man me. Project Compassion quietly tugs at
short term benefit like eating chocolate; it is a
my love and respect of “the poor” with no pass
promise that through Jesus the world might find
mark set.
hope and salvation. It is in the death and resurrection of Jesus that the love of God is reDuring Holy Week we approach Christ Risen
vealed in its fullness. This is what Easter is all
through the reality of abject suffering and rejection; a constant companion to many human about.
beings. Yet there is Hope and the hand of
Easter is a celebration of the passing over from
Charity in the selfless service we can give or
death to new life. It has a type in the story of
receive; no strings attached except the mirror
Moses leading the people out of the slavery of
of Christ’s Love. May the Resurrection of JeEgypt into the Promised Land, only in the Passus be that beacon in all aspects of our ordichal Mystery we have a greater and more ponary lives, making simple chores prizes to
tent passing over from the slavery of sin to the
cherish. Take care always.
freedom of being God’s holy people and the
promise of eternal life.
Fr John Stuart-James (cont)
Easter is the greatest feast of the Church year.
There are three particular days that focus on
the wonderful gift of self given to us by Jesus.
Firstly, the Thursday before Good Friday;
known as Maundy Thursday, we remember
the Last Supper Jesus had with his apostles
when he gave us himself in the form of bread
and wine: the Body and Blood of Christ. Secondly, what is known as Good Friday. This is
the day on which Jesus died on a wooden
cross for the salvation of the world. His death
was our ransom from slavery to sin. Finally, on
Easter Day, Jesus rises from the dead, destroys the power of death. In his rising we too
have the promise of a new life freed from the
corruption of sin and death.
This year, when Australia and New Zealand
particularly celebrate the sacrifice of the Anzacs, it would be truly wonderful if all of us
were to take some time out not only to consider the sacrifice of those who died in battle for a
better human society but to reflect on a far
greater event: the salvation of the World
achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus. No
chocolate bunny or egg can do that!
Fr Medard Kunambi
I, here, would like to wish my brothers and sisters in faith and those of
good will:
HAPPY EASTER:
Like St. Thomas, I profess Jesus as Christ; my
Lord and my God.
When Thomas saw the wounds on the risen
body of the Lord, which were the most faith
provoking signs; he proclaimed Jesus as
Christ and accepted him as "MY LORD and
MY GOD" (Jn 20:24-29).
Jesus is, as we recite in the Sequence: "the
sheep are ransomed by the Lamb, Christ the
undefiled had sinners to His Father reconciled".
My Easter and our Easter is an open invitation
to ascend and achieve a more intimate divine
communion, sharing in the divine life of the Father as his child and intimacy similar to that of
the SON: "I am going to my Father and your
Father" (Jn 20:17); Jesus is my 'Rabboni', my
teacher. This is how we can enjoy the resurrection event and anticipate our own resurrection. We are therefore invited to live the life of
faith in the experience of everlasting life, which
is the end point of Jesus' entire mission and
his whole Gospel.
Wishing all of you all the best Easter can offer
and
HAPPY EASTER
OLOR Students at St Catherine’s Nursing Home
Outreach between Our Lady of the River students and residents of
St Catherine’s Nursing Home, at Berri.
Every Wednesday afternoon a group or class of students walk to St Catherine’s to
entertain the residents. Pictured are the OLOR choir singing. Sometimes children
read to a “partner” or show drawings of topics discussed in class.
THE
DELIGHT IS
EVIDENT ON
THE FACES
OF BOTH
THE
RESIDENTS
AND THE
STUDENTS!
CARITAS AUSTRALIA
BY FR. PAUL
We are all familiar with Project Compassion, our Catholic Lenten Appeal for various projects
throughout the world. It began simply in 1964 in a few Australian Parishes, one being in Adelaide,
responding to the 2nd Vatican Council’s emphasis on Social Justice and our belonging to the one Body of
Christ. In 50 years of Project Compassion over $11,000,000 is now being raised annually throughout Australia,
testimony to the generous ways of Catholic people.
During the mid-1990’s Australian Catholic Relief, which had conducted Project Compassion and numerous
emergency appeals, became known as Caritas Australia, formally joining Caritas Internationalis, our
International Catholic Social Justice Body. It exists in over 160 member Countries and operates programmes
in almost 200 Countries.
The head Office for Caritas Australia is in Alexandria Sydney, with each Diocese operating its own Catholic
Social Justice arm through a Diocesan Director. Project Compassion continues to be a major source of income
whilst any emergency events, such as the Asian Tsunami, Philippines Cyclone and African Drought always
receive huge financial support in Caritas from Catholic people and many other generous supporters.
Caritas Australia is a very professional Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and has an increasing large
donor base with regular letters being mailed to people. Phone marketing is an increasing avenue of fund
raising as well. Even with all of this advertising/marketing Caritas Australia is one of the most efficient of all
Charity bodies. 90 cents in each donated Dollar reaches its target. You would see with some other
Organizations who advertise often, that their expenses are much higher and around 50 cents in the dollar
given is used for this.
Recent cuts to Australia’s overseas Aid Budget will impact upon some of the work programmes Caritas
Australia facilitates, as it receives Federal funding for parts of this work. In 2009 in Partnership with the Federal
Government, Caritas had a travelling educational exhibition highlighting the intent of the Millennium
Development Goals. It was in all Australian Diocese’s and Port Augusta Parish was host in ours.
Outside of Red Cross Caritas Internationalis is the next biggest NGO and is respected and known worldwide.
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga from Honduras is the President of Caritas Internationalis.
He is also the Chair of Pope Francis’ group of 9 Cardinals overseeing necessary reform within the Vatican.
During my 36 years as Diocesan Director I would have accompanied over 25 overseas and local visitors to
different Parishes in the Pirie Diocese as a way of showing how our Project Compassion reaches its target and
brings hope, change and dignity to those grateful.
Last year we had Marlene, an indigenous lady from the Northern Territory, visit the Riverland sharing the story
of Caritas supporting Renal Dialysis in remote NT through the Purple House facility. As some of the 50 Years
of Caritas Film was made during this visit, parts of Loxton are in the background and can be accessed on the
Caritas Website. Fr Steve also features alongside myself in receiving the Project Compassion material.
People naturally are willing to give and share with their “sisters and brothers” and Caritas is our own, it always
gets there and has stood the test of time. Caritas as I said is the Catholic Church’s arm of Social Justice
bringing hope through Aid and Development. Catholic Missions is the Missionary (spreading the Faith) arm of
the Church.
We can be quietly supportive of our own.
St Joseph’s School, Barmera
Every year since 2003, the students at St Josephs in Barmera have been organising Lenten Breakfasts.
These breakfasts are held every Wednesday morning and run for 6 weeks beginning after Ash Wednesday.
The students of the 6/7 class decide on the menu and organise themselves into groups, which are then
responsible for gathering donations
and setting up and packing up each
week for the breakfast.
Each week, a group of parishioners
meet in the church and say the rosary
before they come to school to join in
our delicious breakfasts. The
Breakfasts have now become
a tradition and over the years
we have raised many funds
that go towards the Caritas
Australia programme of Project
Compassion.
Not only is this initiative by the students a
great fundraiser but a way in which the St
Francis Xavier’s Barmera community and
our school families come together as one.
St Joseph’s School
Renmark
Opening Mass—Leadership Induction
One of the most important elements of our school is our faith and religious identity. We celebrated the start of the year with an Opening Mass. This was a wonderful celebration in our Church
where School Captains, House Captains and elected class Student Representative Council
(SRCs) members were inducted. We thank all parents and care givers who joined us and Fr
Medard for the wonderful Mass.
Year 7 School Captains
Year 7 House Captains
Shrove Tuesday
As always, Shrove Tuesday was a delightful day for our students and school community. Students were served pancakes cooked by our P&F.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 18th February, we celebrated Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of
Lent in the Church’s year. We thank Fr Medard for making this parish and school community
Mass so special. As a school community, we felt very strongly about ensuring that all students
and staff had the opportunity to participate in Ash Wednesday services as the Season of Lent is a
timely reminder for righting wrongs, looking within and wanting to change, if need be, for the better.
My First Day(s) of School by Brett Czechowski Principal at St Albert’s Loxton
I was up early, really early. It was my first day of school and I wanted to make sure everything was just so.
I seemed to iron my clothes more carefully than the weeks prior and it took a few moments for my feet to
adjust to ‘school shoes’ again. My satchel was full of things that a student might need on their first day;
such as a diary, a piece of fruit, a water bottle, writing materials and some money for lunch. Just as the
sun popped its head over the fence a
photo was taken and the moment
preserved. If you look closely at the photo,
looking through the eyes, you can see a
mix of emotions. The photo captured
something between genuine excitement,
optimism and sheer terror.
It has been put to me that returning to
Loxton has been something of a home
coming. Perhaps this is true, in part. A
home coming seems to conjure something
of a march triumphant or a grand parade,
but it’s nothing like that! In truth, it has
been much more humbling. The story of
my Christian education began here, as it
did for my brother and for my father, and
his brother, too. St Albert’s Parish is the
place of my baptism and it was the school
of the same name that built on this
foundation guiding me through the sacraments and helping me to better understand the Gospel stories
and this amazing fellow they called Jesus. There were very few resources then, it was a different time.
Former Principal, Kathy Horan, describes arriving the week before school began in 1976…I thought to
check the stationery cupboard to apportion supplies. Alas, there weren’t any. So it was a quick phone call
to a distributer in Adelaide and in the end, no one was the wiser. Our school float at this year’s Mardi Gras
cast an eye back to schooling as it was in the seventies - you know, things like blackboards, wooden
desks and chairs, feather dusters (apparently they were used for shifting dust, too!), itchy woolen uniforms
and the like – and contrasted it with the schooling of today: lots of colour; data projectors and laptops,
whiteboards and carpet. Although the material things may have changed, there is so much that remains
the same. I’m thinking of things like community and friendship, of hard work and perseverance, of pride
and a sense of belonging, of spiritual nourishment and planning for the future.
The welcome Loxton afforded me has been both uplifting and humbling. The people of Loxton care deeply
about St Albert’s and have done so for generations now. They understand that schooling in our
community is more than government red-tape, system demands, policies and procedures. It’s about the
legacy of a community who are well-connected to the story of St Alberts; a legacy built around blood,
sweat and just a few tears. A legacy built on the back of such iconic names like Sr Paschal Caffrey our
Foundation Principal, Bishop De Campo, Peter Shearer, Elvio Demichelis, Fr Steve Ardill, Jenny Ling and
so on. A legacy exampled by Father Curran, who in 1962, recalls the construction of the new School
Church Building…There was a great spirit of cooperation amongst the people of Loxton during my stay
there. They were all of the same vintage, their blocks too at the same stage of development and, as
Catholics, they were endeavoring to establish their own new parish. That helped to blend them together
into a unit. So when there came the question of building our own church-school in 1962, there was that
feeling of community spirit
upon which to build. I believe
that feeling of community spirit
still exists today. We are
blessed with a people and a
staff who, by their good virtue
and generosity of heart, make
our school a happy place to be.
They honour our past and are
excited by the future. Truly,
why would you want to work
anywhere else?
Commissioning Mass 2015
On the 21st January 2015, Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ along with Fr Paul Bourke,
Fr John Stuart James and Fr Medard Kunambi, presided over the Commissioning
Mass for the Catholic schools of the Riverland at St Albert’s in Loxton.
Principals, teachers and board members of St Albert’s of Loxton, St Joseph’s of Renmark,
St Joseph’s of Barmera and Our Lady of the River in Berri gathered prior to the start of the
2015 school year to confirm their strong commitment to the education of the young lives
entrusted into their care in the coming school year. Parish workers from across the Riverland also
made a commitment to Ministry in the year ahead during the Mass.
The Director of Catholic Education for the Port Pirie Diocese, Ms Brenda Keenan called forth Brett
Czechowski, the new Principal of St Albert’s Loxton, to be Commissioned by Bishop Greg O’Kelly to
serve in the Ministry of educational leadership within our Catholic Community.
Do you know who in your church is working behind the scenes to keep the wheels
turning? Do you want to ask about something or suggest some change? Do you
have something to offer to your church community and think you would like to be
involved in one of the teams? Perhaps you would just like to say thank you!
Well, here is a list of team members in your church.
Let’s also acknowledge the hard work of many in our parish who are not affiliated
with the RRPC and associated teams. You know who you are. You are to be
applauded for the quiet way you significantly contribute to our church community.
Riverland Regional Pastoral Council Membership
Priests: Fr. Medard Kunambi, Fr. John Stuart-James and Fr. Paul Bourke
St Francis Xavier’s, Barmera: John Beech, Louise Stavrou, Paul Ivanovic
( Finance), Lee Abela (Chairman)
St Mary’s, Berri: John Fewster, Sister Christine Schwerdt rsj, Kerry
Broughton (Secretary)
St Albert’s Loxton: Chris Byrne and Raelene Edwards
St Therese, Renmark: Andrew Levak, Don de Palma, Roly Telfer, Adrian
Maple
St Thomas Moore, Waikerie: Colleen Andrew, Joe Moore, Lex Slattery
Town/Council
Team
Finance
Council
Buildings and
Properties
Liturgy
Team
Pastoral Care
Team
Youth and
Ministry Team
St Francis
Xavier Barmera
Paul Ivanovic
John Beech
Louise
Stavrou
Betty Beech
Louise Stavrou/
Proxy
St Mary’s Berri
John Fewster
Robert Beech
Jim Cresp
Les Kalman
Jenny Segui
and Kerry
Broughton
Val Fewster
and John and
Maureen
Voorendt
Kathy Caddick
St Albert’s
Loxton
Elvio
DeMichelis
Mark Cash
Raelene
Edwards
Barb DeMichelis
Carina and Zara
Nicholson
St. Therese’s
Renmark
Frank Levak
Adrian Maple
Susan
Frawley
Dot Forde
Andrew Levak
St Thomas
More’s Waikerie
Ted Angove
Joe Moore
Help
Required
Colleen Andrew
Help Required
Priest /Other
Fr Paul
Bourke
Fr John
Stuart-James
Fr Medard
Kunambi
Living Life
On the 24th December, Muriel came to St Catherine’s as a resident. The journey to St Catherine’s
was a traumatic and unexpected one. Her illness hospitalised her for 8 months. Muriel was a
great supporter of the Home for many years and was active in the Petticoat Lane event for a long
time. She did not expect to be a resident of the Home so soon.
About 8 months ago, Muriel had a hip replacement after which many complications followed and
many trips to theatre. This resulted in her totally losing her hip and subsequently her mobility.
After 5 months in Adelaide, Muriel returned to care in Riverland hospitals. Her future care was
uncertain. She entertained thoughts of returning home but came to the conclusion that this was
unrealistic and could not happen. She realised she was kidding herself and that she could no
longer care for herself. Some decisions had to be made.
Muriel decided to come to St Catherine’s if and when a bed was available. It was a hard decision
but one that had to be made. Muriel said that it was the right decision for her and something told
her that it was what had to be done. Muriel said she had to let go her life as she knew it. She had
to accept her situation. She did so pragmatically and with grace and courage. Thus began a new
phase of her life.
Muriel said that everyone was so supportive and helpful. She felt anxious and felt terrible that
she knew so many others were worse off than she was.
Since coming to St Catherine’s, Muriel has let go of her home of many years. Losing so much in
such a short time is quite a challenge. Not only has she had to come to terms with her physical
limitations, but she has also had to face feelings of grief and loss and the active life she knew
before surgery.
I try to imagine what the past months have been like for Muriel and I cannot even come
anywhere near understanding her situation. I am writing this because I am inspired by this
woman who has accepted her situation with so much grace. I asked her how she does it. She
said, ‘well, I’m still alive. I live in the present. I thank God every day that I am still alive. My name
is not in the Pioneer so I’m OK.’ Gratitude and patience characterise how Muriel faces each day
with a positive attitude.
I can understand why Muriel has so many visitors. She is so good to be around. Staff and visitors
feel better for any time spent with her. Muriel said, ‘visitors lift my spirits. I think so many others
would be much better with the support and care I get.’ She lightens and brightens the day for
those who have contact with her. Her glass is half full not half empty.
I think of the passage from St John which makes me aware of what is ahead of each of us as we
journey through life.
When you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow
old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt on you and take you where
you would rather not go.
May Muriel and so many others continue to inspire us to live life to the full in the present and be
ready to face with grace and acceptance whatever the future may hold.
Sr Christine Schwerdt rsj
Who Is This Man?
This is Father Paul Bourke. The Parish of Our Lady of the River has recently taken
possession of him. Coober Pedy’s loss is our gain. He will tell you that he gets maximum value from green fees on the golf course.
He is a little rustic. But, it has not taken us long to work out that opals are not the only
gems to come out of Coober Pedy. We are in good hands.
May God bless and guide him as he continues his pastoral journey with us.
Parish Outdoor Mass and Picnic
The 2015 Parish Mass and Picnic was held on the foreshore of
the River Murray at Kingston-OnMurray on Sunday the 15th of
March.
Depending on where you were in the parish, the day
either started with a lot of cloud and a light sprinkle
of rain, or it started bright and sunny. In any case,
the weather turned out to be distinctly
pleasant by the time we all gathered for the
Mass at Kingston-On-Murray.
The Mass was celebrated by our three
priests, Fr Paul, Fr John and Fr Medard
and a significant number of parishioners
from the East, West, South and Centre of
the parish.
The theme for the day was “To be His
Hands and Voice”. The Parish Pastoral
Team used the theme from the Diocese of
Port Pirie Pastoral Plan 2014-2017.
One of the really pleasing features of the
Mass was the almost continuous participation at and around the altar by the children
and young adults. Our priests have an excellent rapport with the parish’s children and this
was most evident in the conduct of the Mass.
Jesus set the example for us all to follow.
Not surprisingly, the jumping castle was a
great attraction for the children after the Mass.
Getting them to come and eat once the meat
was cooked required deflating the castle.
Parish Outdoor Mass and Picnic (cont)
We had a small fund raiser for Caritas
Australia with a couple of games: “guess the sweets in the jar” for a silver coin and teams were
assembled to make as many words as possible from the phrase “family life and relationships”,
which is the theme for this year’s Diocesan Assembly.
St Albert’s School, Loxton
In week 9 of term 1 the year 2/3 class and the school choir will visit the Nursing Home, the Hospital day care Centre, the Loxton Kindergarten and the Catholic Women’s
League ladies to perform a variety of
songs and music they have been learning in their classroom.
As part of the Pirate theme, the students of year 2/3 have learnt to sing...
act out and play a song about pirates...
with recorders, two guitars and a drum.
St Albert’s School, Loxton (cont)
Loxton celebrated its 58th Mardi Gras this year. The Mardi
Gras is a family fun day, with money raised going towards
community projects.
Most years the event raises thousands of dollars through
the efforts of many volunteers. As we can see from the
picture St Alberts in Loxton was well represented.
A combined churches Worship Service was held on the
Sunday.
Our Lady of the River Parish Holy Week Mass and Service Schedule
TOWN/
LITURGY
PALM
SUNDAY
BARMERA
GOOD
FRIDAY
HOLY
SATURDAY
7pm
BERRI
9am
LOXTON
9am
MORGAN
6pm
(Vigil)
RENMARK
6:30pm
(Vigil)
WAIKERIE
HOLY
THURSDAY
EASTER
SUNDAY
11am
3pm
9am
7pm
(Vigil)
6pm
11am
6:30pm
3pm
9am
3pm
9am
http://www.olor.org.au/