1
The Archdiocese is blessed to have
richness of faith of so many
culturally diverse Catholic traditions.
Thus, in May, the archdiocese was
witness to such celebrations as: the
Flores de Mayo Masses, the Timor
Leste Independence Day Mass, the
20th year anniversary of the
Indonesian Catholic community, and
the celebrations of the Latin
American Community, particularly
the El Salvadorian community,
recognising Pope Francis’
beatification of Monseñor Oscar
Romero on 23 May.
The liturgical and ordinary
celebrations in our Archdiocese
indicate to us
the richness
that we have
in diversity. I
would like to
share with
the El Salvadorian community in
particular my joy at the beatification
of Monseñor Oscar Romero, who
was Archbishop of San Salvador
from 3 February 1977 up to his
assassination on 24 March
1980. Monseñor Romero became
the voice of the voiceless and the
hands and feet of the poor and the
oppressed. His life and his faith
inspired many before him and after
him.
On another note, during Refugee
Week which runs from Sunday 14
June to Saturday 20 June 2015, I
encourage all of us to pause, reflect
and act in a way that recognises the
dignity of refugee claimants and
refugees.
Clyde Cosentino
(Acting Director)
e-mail: [email protected] A GLIMPSE of what’s happening in and around the confines of the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care. Contact CMPC on (07) 3324 3451 for more information or visit our website: www.multiculturalcare.org.au
This newsletter can be downloaded from the CMPC website: www.multiculturalcare.org.au
February 2015February 2015
February 2015
Volume 18, Issue 1
Volume 18, Issue 1
Volume 18, Issue 1
e-mail: [email protected] A GLIMPSE of what’s happening in and around the confines of the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care. Contact CMPC on (07) 3324 3451 for more information or visit our website: www.multiculturalcare.org.au
This newsletter can be downloaded from the CMPC website: www.multiculturalcare.org.au
June 2015June 2015June 2015
Volume 18, Issue 2
Volume 18, Issue 2
Volume 18, Issue 2
Italian Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (Father to the
Migrants) 1 June
Indian Saint Thomas, Apostle of India 3 July
Colombian Our Lady of Chiquinquirá (patroness) 6 July
Chinese The 120 Martyrs of China 9 July
Chilean Our Lady of Carmen (patroness) 13 July
Paraguayan Our Lady of Caacupe (patroness) 13 July
Maronite Saint Charbel 24 July
Indian Saint Alphonsa (first saint from India) 28 July
El Salvadoran The Divine Saviour of the World and Our Lady of
Peace (patrons) 3 August
Australian Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop 8 August
Bolivian Our Lady of Copacabana (patroness) 10 August
Peruvian Saint Rose of Lima (patroness) 24 August
Polish Our Lady of Czestochowa 26 August
Days of Religious Significance Days of Religious Significance Days of Religious Significance Ethnic Communities Ethnic Communities Ethnic Communities JUNE JUNE JUNE --- AUGUSTAUGUSTAUGUST “Every expression of hostility toward others builds a wall of tension between people and
reveals a heart of stone.
Every act of discrimination is an act of injustice and a violation
of personal dignity.
Every time we are intolerant we close our eyes to God’s image in
the other person.
Every time we fail to recognize the demands of worldwide justice, we fail to grasp the meaning of our universal
solidarity.”
- Pope John Paul II in Adelaide during the Mass for
‘Australia: Land of Many Cultures’
Diversity in the ArchdioceseDiversity in the ArchdioceseDiversity in the Archdiocese
DATE
CLAIMER
Multicultural Mass Sunday, 30 August - 2:30 pm
Cathedral of St Stephen 249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
2
A feast in honour of Italy’s martyred
three saints — Alfio, Filadelfio and
Cirino, occurs each year at the Holy
Rosary Church in the parish of
Lutwyche in Brisbane. This year’s
Feast of Three saints follows the
pattern of past years.
At 9:30 am on 3 May, Mass was
celebrated by parish priest Fr. Jose
Thekkemuriyil PP. Concelebrants
were priest-in-residence Fr Joseph
Visentin CS and former Italian
Community Chaplain Fr. Mauro Conte.
By 12 noon the Church grounds were
buzzing with food stalls offering an
array of Italian cuisines including BBQ
Italian sausages, arancini, porchetta,
roasted chestnuts, granita, annoli,
sweets, coffee and
many more. Children’s
entertainment included
animal farm, pony rides,
supa-chair swing,
jumping castle and face
painting.
The afternoon featured
a street procession at
2pm and entertainment
at 3:30pm featuring the
music of VIVA, singer
Tony Pantano and
accordionist Ross Maio.
Next in the Community’s calendar is
the anniversary celebration of Blessed
Giovanni Battista Scalabrini on the
1st of June.
The month of May is traditionally
celebrated in the Philippines as a
month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Thus, the celebration of Flores
de Mayo (Mayflower) Masses and
novenas. The nine-day novena
culminates with the Santacruzan, a
religious procession of women and
men carrying statues of biblical
personages and symbols. Mass is
usually held on the morning of the
ninth day.
In Brisbane, the Filipino community
observed the Flores de Mayo tradition
with a number of Mass celebrations:
at St Bernardine’s Church Regents
Park, St Flannan’s Church
Zillmere and St Peter’s Church
Caboolture on 10 May, at Acacia
Ridge on 13 May, at Our Lady of
Miraculous Medal on 24 May and at
St Joseph’s Church Pialba on 31 May.
Next in the Community’s calendar is
the Philippines’ 113th year of
independence (from Spain) on 12
June. In Brisbane, the Barrio Fiesta is
an annual full day event that
celebrates Philippine Independence.
Visit the Barrio Fiesta website
www.barriofiesta.org for more details.
Catholic Ethnic Communities in Brisbane
Filipino Community’s Filipino Community’s Filipino Community’s Flores Flores Flores de Mayo de Mayo de Mayo
Cheer for the Chinese Catholic
Community Brisbane Team as they
compete in this year’s Dragon Boat
Race on 7 June at Forest Lake
Boulevard, Forest Lake. The Race is
part of the Multicultural Festival co-
ordinated this year by the HAKKA
Association, Forest Lake Rotary Club
and the Queensland Dragonboat
Federation.
Multicultural stalls will be available all
throughout the day from 8am to
10pm. The dragon boat races will be
held from 10am to 2pm.
The Dragon Boat Festival
commemorates the 2000 year old
story of statesman and poet Chu
Yuan, who in the 3rd century, in
protest against a corrupt kingdom,
threw himself into the Mi Lo River in
despair. This practice has evolved
into a Chinese tradition of making rice
dumplings and holding dragon boat
races on the 5th day of the 5th month
of the lunar calendar.
Chinese Catholic Team competes Chinese Catholic Team competes Chinese Catholic Team competes at the at the at the Dragon Boat RaceDragon Boat RaceDragon Boat Race
May May and and June June eventsevents
Italian Community’sItalian Community’sItalian Community’s Feast of Feast of Feast of Three Saints Three Saints Three Saints
3
The Latin American community was
abuzz with a number of events as
people rejoice over Archbishop Oscar
Romero’s beatification on 23 May in
San Salvador, El Salvador.
The Australian Salvadorean
Association, the Monsignor Oscar
Romero Committee and the Latin
American Chaplaincy organised a
number of events during what was
coined as the Romero Week which
ran from 16 to 24 May. A nine-day
novena on Saturday 16 May kick-
started the week-long celebrations.
The forum “Oscar Romero in Recent
History” at the Acacia Ridge
Community Centre was also held on
the same day.
Among the highlights of the week was
a Mass celebrated by Archbishop
Mark
Coleridge on
Friday, 22
May at the
Cathedral of
St Stephen.
Ten other
clergy
concelebrated
at the Mass
including Latin
American
Chaplain Fr Ignacio Gutierrez CS
(photo below, far left). During the
offertory, the community presented
Archbishop Coleridge (left photo) with
a mosaic image of Monseñor Romero
and a stole showing flags of Latin
American countries in the Archdiocese
of Brisbane.
Saturday, 23 May was the screening
of movie documentary “Monseñor:
The Last Journey of Oscar Romero” at
the Griffith Film School Movie Theatre.
A culminating Mass was held on
Sunday 24 May at the Our Lady of
Fatima Church in Acacia Ridge. Mass
was followed by vibrant Latin
American cultural performances and
an array of Latin American cuisine.
(Related articles on pages 4-5.) [PPL]
Catholic Ethnic Communities in Brisbane
On 7 March this year, the Indonesian
Catholic Family celebrated their 20th
year as an organised community. The
community is appreciative of being
one of the ethnic communities in the
Brisbane Archdiocese that are able to
have Mass in their own language and
have the guidance and support of a
Chaplain/Ethnic Minister. The
community will officially gather to
mark this milestone on 6 June at the
Sacred Heart Community Centre in
Runcorn. The day will feature a
Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by
Archbishop Mark Coleridge followed by
dinner and cultural performances.
Indonesian Community Indonesian Community Indonesian Community celebrates celebrates celebrates 20th Anniversary20th Anniversary20th Anniversary
Timor Leste Community’s Timor Leste Community’s Timor Leste Community’s Independence Day Independence Day Independence Day celebrationscelebrationscelebrations This year’s Timor Leste Independence
Day celebration was held at the school
chapel of St. Joseph's College in
Spring Hill on 16 May. Mass was
celebrated by Bracken Ridge—Bald
Hills Parish Priest Fr Gerry Hefferan
who is also part-time Chaplain to the
Community. Mass was followed by
refreshments and lively entertainment
(photo on right). Canossian Sister
Odete Moreira (photo, 2nd from right)
is currently the Pastoral Minister
working with the community.
Monseñor Romero’s beatificationMonseñor Romero’s beatificationMonseñor Romero’s beatification
Latin American community Latin American community Latin American community rejoicesrejoicesrejoices
May May and and June June eventsevents
4
Who is Monseñor Oscar Romero?
Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero was born
on 15 August 1915 in Ciudad Barrios, El
Salvador. He was ordained as a priest in
Rome on 4 April 1942. Thirty five years
later, on 3 February 1977, he was
appointed Archbishop of San Salvador, the
capital city of El Salvador. The years from
around 1977 until his assassination in
1980 were a time of political violence,
human rights violations, disappearances
and deaths in El Salvador.
Archbishop Romero was shot and killed on
the 24 March 1980 while celebrating Mass
in the Church of the hospital La Divina
Providencia. His last few words, seconds
before his assassination: "...that we may
give our body and our blood over to
suffering and pain, like Christ -- not for Self,
but to give harvests of peace and justice to
our People."
At his funeral, some 250,000 were
crowded into the Cathedral Square. Then
a bomb exploded. The stampede and
gunshots that followed left forty dead. In
the next two years, an estimated 35,000
Salvadorans perished. Fifteen percent of
the population was driven into exile.
Around two thousand ‘disappeared’.
The staff of the Centre for Multicultural
Pastoral Care joins the world, particularly
the Salvadoran community in Brisbane and
across Australia, in celebrating the
beatification of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo
Romero.
More information on Archbishop Romeo
can be found on the Archbishop Romero
Trust website www.romerotrust.org.uk/
home
“ You can tell the people that if they succeed in
killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of
God, which is the people, will never perish.
”
Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero 1917 - 1980
A Reflection on the beatification of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero on the 23th of May by Pope Francis
In the beginning of February of this year 2015, I was in Guadalajara, Mexico, visiting my family when I heard for the first time that Archbishop Oscar Romero was officially recognized as a martyr by Pope Francis and that very soon, on the 23rd of May 2015, Archbishop Romero’s beatification will be celebrated in his native country of El Salvador. I was deeply moved and a profound sense of joy invaded all my being for knowing that Archbishop Romero will be elevated to the altars. As Pope Francis says loudly and clearly, Archbishop Romero was killed “not for purely political reasons,” but because of “hatred of the faith.” Indeed, Archbishop Romero was a priest of faith. That faith drove him many times to the point of polemical debates with people who were very much different in their way of thinking, though living in the same country. For Archbishop Romero his mission among his sheep was clear: to bring peace and reconciliation among his brothers and sisters by implementing justice and love in their daily life. It is precisely what the Good News of Jesus is all about “To love one another as I love you.” I believe that Archbishop Romero was not understood most of the time by his people of his time. In order to understand this great Martyr we need to look attentively and deeply into his spirituality: a spirituality of inclusiveness, peace, justice and love. The source of his spirituality was the incarnate Christ, who continues suffering in each person whose rights and dignity are not respected as a human being and as a child of God. Definitely Archbishop Romero is an example and an inspiration to people of good will, who want to live as brothers and sisters, respecting and accepting their differences and looking at them not as obstacles, but as opportunities for dialogue, mutual understanding and working for unity in diversity. Archbishop Romero’ s legacy does not belong only to the people of his own country, but to all people who believe that the dignity of a human life is a precious treasure worthy to be protected and promoted.
Fr. Martin Ignacio Gutierrez Rodriguez, CS A Scalabrinian Priest, serving at Holy Spirit Parish, New Farm, Brisbane
as parish priest and as chaplain for the Latino American community in Brisbane
5
Thoughts on Monseñor Romero
(Above, left photo) Oscar Romero's
1970 ordination as Bishop. (Left to
right): Archbishop Chavez (Romero's
predecessor as Archbishop of San
Salvador), Bishop Romero, Bishop
Rivera (Romero's successor as
Archbishop of San Salvador) and Fr.
Rutilio Grande, S.J. who, as Romero's
close friend, was Master of
Ceremonies for the occasion. Rutilio
Grande García, S.J. was a Jesuit priest
in El Salvador. He was a friend of
Oscar Romero who knew each other
from their preacher training. Rutili
Grande was assassinated in 1977
along with two other Salvadorans. He
was the first priest assassinated
before the civil war started.
(Above, right photo) Romero's
Funeral. The funeral Mass for
Archbishop Romero was celebrated
on Palm Sunday, March 30th 1980 in
front of his Cathedral in San Salvador.
In the middle of the Mass smoke
bombs were thrown from the National
Palace into the crowd in the square
where a huge congregation, over
100,000 had gathered. A stampede
followed. Many were killed and
maimed.
(Photos and information:
www.romerotrust.org.uk)
I wish to acknowledge the traditional
owners of this land, the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people of
Australia.
It seems like it was just yesterday. I
remember so well that 24th of March
1980. I heard the news on the radio.
I was home. It was about 6.30 pm.
Monseñor Romero was shot and was
being taken to hospital. Later on he
died. I felt a sense of fear and
powerlessness. I thought, if they were
capable of committing this horrible
crime, what else can they do? What
else can they do to us, the common
people? Who is going to defend us
from now on? A lot of questions came
to my mind and to the mind of millions
in El Salvador. The whole country
went into a profound silence,
disbelief, sadness and finally, anger.
One week later, on the 30th of March,
was the funeral. The Church
organized a rally of religious people:
bishops, priests, nuns, in hundreds,
rallied that day. Separately there was
a popular demonstration of thousands
and thousands of common people,
defying the government menace not
to assist. In front of the Cathedral the
crowd was calculated at some three
hundred thousand. My older son and
I amongst them. In the middle of the
ceremony a bomb exploded in one of
the comers of the square, followed by
gunshots coming from the National
Palace and from other buildings
surrounding the square. The panic of
people caused a stampede that was
as dangerous as the shots. My son
and I got separated and I lost him for
the next five hours -- five hours of
anguish because dozens of people
were murdered or crushed by the
running multitude. Thousands of
people were injured. The Cathedral
was so overcrowded that people were
suffocating themselves. Monseñor
Romero's coffin located at the
Cathedral's entrance, rolled down the
Cathedral's stairs and was quickly
rescued by the people. Due to the
panic, I forgot that I had left my car so
I had to come back and walked
against the stream of thousands of
people running in all directions.
The following day, the government
blamed the popular organizations for
causing the incident where many
people lost their lives. This story is my
recollection of those terrible days in
my homeland.
No doubt, Monseñor Romero is a
prophet of our times. Coming from a
poor family in the town of Ciudad
Barrios, Department of San Miguel,
Oscar Romero was educated in the
most traditional practice of the
Catholic Church of his times. During
his 35 years as a priest and as a
bishop Oscar Romero was very
conservative. He was a very
organized and devoted priest, not
interested in social or political issues.
On the contrary, in many occasions he
pronounced himself against the
interest of the poor people. When the
first massacre of about 10 peasants
in his diocese of Santiago de Maria,
(1972) he did not protest, but he
wrote a letter to the President asking
for his intervention to take the culprits
to justice. The President did not move
one finger to investigate and Romero
did not follow up the matter.
He was appointed Archbishop of EI
Salvador in February 1977. One
month later, his intimate friend,
Father Rutilio Grande was
assassinated. That was the turning
point for Romero. Like Jesus, he
preached for three years on the side
of the poor and then he was killed.
(Continued on page 8)
6
Meeting of Directors In March this year, Centre for
Multicultural Pastoral Care (CMPC)
Acting Director Clyde Cosentino
attended the meeting of Catholic
Immigration Directors, Multicultural
Officers and Episcopal Vicars.
Organised by the Australian Catholic
Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO),
the meeting is held a few times each
year to discuss local, national and
international issues relevant to the
pastoral care of migrants and
refugees.
The meetings hosted in different
dioceses provide an opportunity for
ACMRO Director Fr Maurizio Pettena
CS to keep in touch with migrant
chaplains and ethnic communities
across Australia. The March meeting
was held in Adelaide (see above
photo). Included in the agenda items
discussed is the flow of international
priests in Australia including
clarification and a re-emphasis on the
conditions required under the labour
agreement.
The suggestion to use the more
appropriate term ‘missionary priest’ in
view of correcting the commonly used
terms ‘overseas priest’ and
‘international priest’ was also
discussed.
DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACEDIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE
A Taste of A Taste of A Taste of HarmonyHarmonyHarmony
Due to a number of office relocations, organisational changes and
transitions since 2012 the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care
has had different venues for its A Taste of Harmony lunches —
from its MacKillop Place premises in Paddington, then on the
ground floor of Penola Place in Brisbane City, and then up on the
third floor of the same building. Each venue had a different feel, a
different tones, different faces...
On 14 March the CMPC version of A Taste of Harmony was held in
the premises of Evangelisation Brisbane (EB), the archdiocesan
agency from which it operates. Apart from the EB and CMPC Staff,
we had the pleasure of sharing lunch with Buddhist visitors. Food
shared included Pasta de Mandorle (Almond Biscuits) | Anti-pasto
(Italy); Eggplant Fritters (Italy-Sicily); Quiche | Mango/Avocado
Salad | Apple Pie | Pavlova (Australia); Stuffed Vine Leaves |
Spinach and Cheese Triangles (Greece); Sushi (Japan); Barbecue
Chicken (Ireland); Munggo (Mung Beans) with Eggplant + Kanin
(Rice) (Philippines) and Polski Ogorki (Polish Dill Pickle) (Poland).
What’s UpWhat’s UpWhat’s Up recently at CMPCrecently at CMPCrecently at CMPC
Ethnic Ministers Group Update: Farewell to Fr Peter Gong In April we farewell Fr Peter (Baiyi) Gong who joined the Ethnic Ministers Group last year as
Assistant Chaplain to the Chinese Catholic Community in Brisbane. Fr Peter was recently
appointed full time Associate Pastor at Grovely Parish.
From Fr Peter’s email: “I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to all members of the
Ethnic Ministers Group, particularly Bishop Joe, Clyde and Percy, for everything you've done to
support me and encourage me. I have learned a lot from attending the meetings. Thank God
and thank you all again. May God bless you at all times.”
Adelaide’s Catholic Multicultural Office (CMO) hosts first meeting for 2015. From
right: CMO Manager Sr Nien Tran rsm, ACMRO Director Fr Maurizio Pettena cs,
Melbourne Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (MCMRO) Executive Officer Brenda
Hubber, Sr Sheela Thomas ssa (CMO), Basia Gebski (CMO) and ACBC’s Alison Burt.
Back row from left, Brisbane CMPC’s Clyde Cosentino and MCMRO Episcopal Vicar
for Migration and Scalabrinian Provincial Fr Delmar Silva cs.
7
Wellness Expo for Seniors
All seniors from multicultural background are encouraged to attend
Diversicare’s free wellness expo at the Royal International Convention Centre
on 26 June, 10am-3pm, for an opportunity to meet representatives from
wellness organisations and get free advice from health experts. Hosted by
the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program of Diversicare, the event will
feature cooking demonstrations, healthy cuisine from all over the world,
expert speakers in the health and vitality field, an array of vendors, vibrant
performances, light exercise activities and free health screenings. RSVP by
17 June for catering purposes to Chrissie Ma-amo on 04 2833 2965 or by
emailing [email protected]. For transport and disability
enquiries contact Brent Couling on 04 2758 2461. For more information on
Diversicare visit www.diversicare.com.au. For more information about ECCQ
visit www.eccq.com.au.
Refugee Week runs
from Sunday 14 June
to Saturday 20 June
2015. World Refugee
Day is on 20 June. For
the years 2015 to
2017, the Refugee
Council of Australia’s
(RCOA) has chosen the
theme “With courage
let us all combine”.
Taken from the sec-
ond verse of the na-
tional anthem, the
theme celebrates the
courage of refugees
and of people who
speak out agains per-
secution and injustice.
It serves as a call for
unity and for positive
action, encouraging
Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge
the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home. The Refugee Week
Resource Kit is available on the RCOA website www.refugeeweek.org.au
EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS
Worldwide Marriage
Encounter
A weekend away for married couples
in peaceful, picturesque surroundings
– away from the distractions of
everyday living. Take time out of your
busy schedule, to invest in your most
precious asset . . . your
Marriage! This is a unique
opportunity to recharge your
relationship batteries, refocus on
each other and fall in love all over
again!
Weekend date: 4 - 6 September 2015
Venue: Santa Teresa Spirituality
Centre, Ormiston QLD (on Brisbane’s
bayside)
Luminous Parade A dazzling way to welcome new
arrivals to Australia, Multicultural
Development Association’s (MDA)
Luminous Parade provides a visual
feast of mesmerising lanterns. The
event will be held on 5 June from
5:30pm to 8:30pm. The parade starts
at The Cultural Forecourt at South
Bank Parklands. For more
information, phone 3337 5400.
WelcomeFest As part of the World Refugee Week
celebrations, WELCOMEfest offers an
experience of world culture.
WELCOMEfest will be held at the
Annerley Soccer Club Fields (Ridge
and Juliette Streets, Greenslopes) on
14 June from 9am to 5pm. The event
will feature international cuisine;
music and dance performances; DJs;
workshops and displays; a dynamic
sports program; engaging children’s
activities; and so much more.
Logan RAW Also part of the World Refugee Week
celebrations is Logan RAW (Refugee
Awareness Week), a conference and
community festival organised by
Access Community Services in
partnership with Griffith University to
be held on 26 June from 9:00am –
2:30pm at Griffith University Logan
Campus. Cost is $30 per participant.
The RAW Conference is designed for
stakeholders and their front line staff
to learn more about engaging with
CALD (culturally and linguistically
diverse) communities. The
Conference offers cross-cultural
learning experience that covers topics
such as:
◦ Developing Skills for Successful
Interactions in a New Culture
◦ Working with Professional
Interpreters
◦ CALD Education and Referral
Pathways
◦ Interfaith Dialogue
◦ Addressing Violence through Arts
and Innovative Practice
◦ Impacts of Trauma on People from
a Refugee and Asylum Seeker
Background and their Mental Well-
being
COMING S N With courage let us all combine
Barrio Fiesta
The Filipino Community in Brisbane
joins the Philippines and the Filipino
diaspora in celebrating its 117th year
of independence from Spain.
Brisbane marks this event with the
annual Barrio Fiesta to be held on
7 June at the Rocklea Showgrounds,
118 Goburra Street cnr Ipswich
Road. www.brisbane.barriofiesta.org
8
I have been reading quite a few reflections about hope lately. While
doing the dishes, the migrant in me tries
to make sense of the word...
Hope is like wearing a pair of rose coloured sunglasses while walking on an unpaved road on a hot summer’s day. The sunny atmosphere could be quite glaring and uncomfortably hot, but wearing the sunglasses helps ease eye strain from the bright sun and makes the walk bearable, with a clearer view of
the road ahead.
Like the rose coloured sunglasses, Hope indirectly changes how the present is lived, as if soothing the rough edges of life’s losses and disappointments, because the future definitely lies ahead. It makes the present bearable by putting facts into perspective --- with a clearer view of the desired future on the
horizon.
In the faith perspective, we are Christians on a journey, and an uncomfortable one – enduring wave after wave of migration from the time
of Abraham to the present uprootings caused by globalisation and a culture of
indifference. Yet our mere migrations turn into meaningful pilgrimages because of the faith that gives us identity and purpose, because of the hope that breathes life into and transforms even the most mundane walk. By placing our entire trust in the Divine Providence and imitating the spirituality of Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini (Father of Migrants) we are empowered to muster enough courage, patience, perseverance, resilience and
acceptance, and enjoy The Walk.
Hope indirectly changes how the present is lived, by shining a hint of light into the future. Without the promise that there is indeed a future, life could be miserably mundane, meaningless and possibly fatal. Theology professor Erio Castelluci in “Hope that Goes Beyond” wrote, ‘hope is the hope of being loved’. Sudanese saint Josephine Bakhita who was once a slave was a witness of such hope: “I am definitely loved and whatever happens – I
am awaited by this love. And so my life is good.” Indeed life becomes bearable
when there is hope. And where there is hope, there is love; and where there is
love, there is God.
What one needs to be wary of in the contemporary world is this synthetic kind of hope, the kind of hope that is, as Castelluci puts it, ‘reduced by modernity to the myth of progress’ -- individualistic, materialistic and selfish. The great Hope, meanwhile, empowers one to see the suffering in the other, acts with compassion, and enters into communion
and solidarity.
We are all interconnected and interdependent, thus our personal hopes should also be our hopes for the community and for the collective humanity. Such hope for a transformed world cannot be achieved through an abrasive external show of force but through a gradual change from within, a ‘revolution of the heart,’ says Castelluci. Without Hope life is drearily pointless. It is hope that breathes life into the seeming drudgery of our migrant
journeys. - Percy Pamo Lawrence
The miracle of Romero was not only
his conversion, but also the
transformation of the Salvadorean
church. From a Church that was
passive, conservative, only interested
in keeping their privileges, retrograde,
totally separated from its grey,
supportive of the status quo,
corrupted, etc. to a vibrant, full of life,
in favour of the suffering, protecting
them and protesting on their behalf,
suffering with them, being persecuted
like them, with no protection like
them, strongly denouncing the
injustices for the love of God and
finally, being killed like them. Romero
is the symbol of justice, of love for the
dispossessed.
I believe we need Romero to come
again and transform the Catholic
Church not only in El Salvador, but
also in other countries as I feel the
Church is acting in many aspects
similar to the one that existed in El
Salvador before Romero.
(This reflection was shared by Rafael
Pacheco at a Romero death
anniversary prayer gathering held at
the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral
Care on 24 March 2004. Rafael is a
long time CMPC contact.)
Thoughts on Monseñor Romero (Continued from page 5)
Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care 3rd Flr, 143 Edward Street GPO Box 282 BRISBANE QLD 4001
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(Photo: www.romerotrust.org.uk)
HOPE “It is hope that breathes life into the seeming drudgery of our migrant journeys.”