Would those intending to donate on the first Sunday of March consider donating coffee? It is always the first thing requested and we rarely are able to oblige. It would be appreciated.

Fr Peter Varengo, Parish Priest of Clifton Hill and Collingwood Parishes, invites you to an evening of Opera, Contemporary Music and Songs.
Puccini Festival Australia, 12 March at 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church, Clifton Hill
Tickets: $25 / $10 Conc. For further information contact 9417 2959

This article by Fr Charles Rue about China ((The Far East, January/February 2008) helps us South Melbourne Catholics to reflect on 'What colour will South Melbourne Church be?' Rob Grogan leads a group of parishioners working on that very issue - and just in the nick of time.

'Fr Charles Rue explores the dialogue between Christianity and Taoism in the 7th century in China.
'Organisers of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing describe how they want to add Chinese colours to the event. They revealed their plans during an interview on the English speaking Chinese TV station. The lyric names they gave the colours they hope to emphasise was fascinating. Of course Chinese red came first. Then they named porcelain blue, scholar-tree green, ceramic tile yellow, jade white and great-wall grey. They want the Olympics to engage with Chinese culture.
'Recently I had the privilege of visiting the site of the first Christian monastery in China built between the 6-8th centuries. It sits in the foothills of the mountains at the Chinese end of the silk-road some 50kms south west of the ancient capital and modern city Xian. In 635 a Catholic delegation headed by the monk-bishop Aluoben from the Eastern Rite, sometimes wrongly named Nestorian, arrived from central Asia. Its members were invited by the Taoist priests to set up a Christian monastery in the midst of their own monasteries.
'Witness to the dialogue which took place between Christians and Taoists over two centuries is the seven storied, 25m pagoda Da Qin. One statue in the pagoda which has somewhat survived the ravages of time, but not open to the public, is a two by three meter depiction of the nativity. The pagoda is deep into the Lou-guan-tai Forest Park.'

'Let's all be sorry / act sorry for past losses but also for present unwillingness/inability to do something about present inequalities, right here, right now. Mark Baker, who is director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and associate professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Monash University, has given me permission to reprint his article from 'The Age'.
'Saying sorry is not enough without rectifying the wrongs.
'Can the children stolen from their mothers in Australia ever forgive? Should survivors of the Holocaust forgive a repentant Germany for the murder of their families? Will Palestinians and Israelis one day forgive each other for the dispossession and wasted lives?
'These are old questions that confronted me in new ways during a visit with my family to two societies built on the sorry principle: Rwanda and South Africa.
'In South Africa, it is not easy to forget the legacy of apartheid; it is etched into the public memory of Johannesburg through a host of innovative museums, one of which marks the spot where the first black student, Hector Peiterson, was shot down during the 1976 Soweto riots. It can be found on Constitution Hill where the High Court has been erected on the ruins of the old fort prison, a poignant placement for a site of justice. But it can also be seen through the electrified fences surrounding fortress suburbs, and the shanty towns of Khayelitsha, so close and so tragically far from the beaches of Cape Town.
'Yet despite the structural divides, violence and high crime rates, what might have been never happened: the transition from apartheid to a new order has been peaceful when measured against other post-conflict regimes. In Nadine Gordimer's 1982 novel, 'July's People', she imagined a time when the oppressed would rise up against their masters and wreak revenge. Instead, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu led their people on a different path of truth and reconciliation. Flawed as the process has been, the idea is stunningly powerful. We will forgive you for what you have done to us, if you confess to your sins. After all, how else can we learn to live together?
'In Rwanda, living together is more challenging. Neighbours share the memory of recent crimes. This one killed that one's mother. That one murdered this one's children. The Rwandan genocide was the most intense in history - 1 million casualties in 100 days. The mobilisation of wide sectors of the population into the murder process sets the ratio of victim to perpetrator at 1:1. One million victims; 1 million murderers - 2 million bloodstained hands.
'Unlike Germany after the Holocaust, the surviving remnant did not leave. The victims seized control of government through the power of rebel forces and began the task of rebuilding a nation. What to do? For a period, the perpetrators fled in massive numbers, fearing revenge. In response, Paul Kagame, a man who has attracted fair criticism for his authoritarian rule, established Rwanda's own version of truth and reconciliation. Each week, under the shade of thousands of acacia trees, the inhabitants of hilltop villages gather to face each other - murderer and victim. There is no glass booth to separate them; these open-air courts are filled with the sound of accusatory voices that result in an imperfect process of justice, restitution, and the rebuilding of trust.
'In both South Africa and Rwanda, it need not have been so; the cycle of retributive violence that plagues the Middle East might have continued unabated. What the Middle East lacks, and what both these countries produced, is great leaders who have offered their societies a visionary model of reconciliation. They laid the word sorry at the foundations of a new society. Mandela, Tutu and Kagame are Christian leaders who drew inspiration from their religious traditions, the same traditions that were previously used to justify apartheid and genocide.
'The Jewish tradition offers two paradigms of memory: on the one hand there is the memory that calls for vigilance and revenge. 'Remember what Amalek did unto you', the Bible commands, alongside the lesson that there are some sins that can never be eradicated without eradicating the sinner. The prophets and rabbis were at great pains to reduce the severity of this approach. They championed a God of mercy and argued that there is no Amalek in 'our day' or that 'an eye-for-an-eye' is exacted through monetary compensation. It took a second-century woman, Bruria the wife of Rabbi Meir, to say that we should eradicate sin, not sinners. Through penitence, the past can be changed; that is the other paradigm of Jewish memory, a precept shared by all religious traditions.
'Real forgiveness, as the medieval philosopher Maimonides taught, must be based on truth; there is no use saying sorry if we don't pledge to change the social and political conditions that allow our confessions to have authenticity. There can be no reconciliation without compensation. An apology from the Australian government to indigenous Australians is a pre-requisite for a just future for our country. It will be good for the victims, the perpetrators and for us, the beneficiaries of past deeds.'

A business bloke told me today that every year has eight productive months to it. He says take out January (holidays), April (Easter and school holidays), July (movers and shakers flee winter and either mourn or celebrate end of financial year) and, of course, December (obvious reasons).
These observations apply to the real, physical, socio-economic world. Are there similar ups and downs in cyberspace? Dunno. Are there times when wired people are off the air?
Being a latecomer to the e-world and a social activist to boost, I lack savvy in cyber matters.
As someone who hasn't a minute to lose, I'm mildly shocked to find associates and colleagues 'off the air' after 6 pm daily and weekends.
Having no wife, no children makes matters worse. There's no one there to remind me there's no one out there.
They're not cavalry persons en masse waiting for my command 'boots and saddles' before mounting their thoroughbreds, unsheathing their swords and riding into the valley of death like the famous Light Brigade at Sebastopol in the Crimea.
It's my calling, not yours, dear readers, to patrol real and virtual worlds 24/7/52, the real I'm 73 years familiar with. The virtual, quantum leaping, exponentially expanding world I'm not even 10 years familiar with. It's no wonder I use inappropriately and unsuccessfully, the same modus operandi in both worlds.
My predicament will be highlighted on 3JJJ this Sunday night during an interview with Bajo, aka Steve O'Donnell, co-host of 'Good Game', returning on 11 February to ABC2. To my generation, maybe anyone born before 1974, when commercially available computer games first became available. 'Gaming' meant gambling at the local Tabaret.
I'll be shown up as illiterate when Banjo's interviewed by IT savvy, Safron, about an upcoming episode (Good Game) about 'Religious Games'.
No sweat. I'll battle on because I'm convinced these are not the last days except in the sense of 'last days of the world as we know it'. But, then, every day's the last day in that sense.
It's, also, why I try to express my Catholicism as helpful to all. It's meant to add to, not substitute for.
There's a fundamentalist weakness in Catholicism as in all institutions. It's not a fatal flaw, unless unchecked, and it can't reach that level of toxicity because of checks and balances built into Catholicism from day one. Peter's tendency to fundamentalism was balanced by Paul's appetite for universalism.
Sorry, blog readers, to self indulge but these words are meant for parish readers as well as you. AND it's Lent for Catholics till Easter. AND Lent can be wasted or used for good.
Since our South Melbourne Catholic Church is the first suburban expression of Catholicism in Melbourne, we're not a derivative but unique.
We'd like to invite both worlds, real and virtual to 'own' Lent by practising Aussie, lay spirituality - bring your own, do it yourself - do no harm (represented by ashes) do a little good (after ash, become the green!)

Tuesday, 18 March (Holy Week)
Sue Kidd will be conducting classes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday, 21 February at 4.30 pm, Thursday, 28 February at 4.30 pm, Wednesday, 5 March 5 at 4.30 pm. There will be a practice on 13 March at 4 pm.
If there is any parishioner who wishes their child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please contact Sue on 9646 2686.
The Sacramental Commitment will be on 10 February

Pysche Mae is from Manila in the Philippines. She lives with her family on the edge of an urban garbage dump. Before her family received support, life was a constant struggle to buy enough food and pay school fees. They were unable to save money and when desperate borrowed from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates.
Caritas Australia helped establish savings groups to support income-generating activities such as bag and card making. Members have also established a small community shop.
Caritas supports classes on informal adult education, art, English, computing and volleyball. The youth have established leadership groups that meet regularly.
Project Compassion boxes now available at the back of the church. Your donation to Project Compassion will allow communities like Psyche Mae's to become self reliant and to look forward to a more productive and peaceful future.

A business bloke told me today that every year has eight productive months to it. He says take out January (holidays), April (Easter and school holidays), July (movers and shakers flee winter and either mourn or celebrate end of financial year) and, of course, December (obvious reasons).

These observations apply to the real, physical, socio-economic world. Are there similar ups and downs in cyberspace? Dunno. Are there times when wired people are off the air?

Being a late comer to the e-world and a social activist to boost, I lack savvy in cyber matters.

As someone who hasn't a minute to lose, I'm mildly shocked to find associates and colleagues "off the air" after 6pm daily and weekends.

Having no wife, no children makes matters worse. There's no one there to remind me there's no one out there.

They're not cavalry persons en masse waiting for my command "boots and saddles" before mounting their thoroughbreds, unsheathing their swords and riding into the valley of death like the famous Light Brigade at Balaklava in the Crimea.

It's my calling, not yours, dear readers, to patrol real and virtual worlds 24/7/52. the real I'm 73 years familiar with. The virtual, quantum leaping, exponentially expanding world I'm not even 10 years familiar with. It's no wonder I use inappropriately and unsuccessfully, the same modus operandi in both worlds.

My predicament will be highlighted on 3JJJ this Sunday night during an interview with Bajo, aka Steve O'Donnell, co-host of "Good Game", returning on February 11th to ABC2. To my generation, maybe anyone born before 1974, when commercially available computer games first became available, "gaming" meant gambling at the local Tabaret.

I'll be shown up as illiterate when Banjo's interviewed by IT savvy, Safron, about an upcoming episode (Good Game) about "Religious Games".

No sweat. I'll battle on because I'm convinced these are not the last days except in the sense of "last days of the world as we know it". But, then, every day's the last day in that sense.

It's, also, why I try to express my Catholicism as helpful to all. It's meant to add to, not substitute for.

There's a fundamentalist weakness in Catholicism as in all institutions. It's not a fatal flaw, unless unchecked, and it can't reach that level of toxicity because of checks and balances built into Catholicism from day one. Peter's tendency to fundamentalism was balance by Paul's appetite for universalism.

Sorry, blog readers, to self indulge but these words are meant for parish readers as well as you. AND it's Lent for Catholics till Easter. AND Lent can be wasted or used for good.

Since our South Melbourne Catholic Church is the first suburban expression of Catholicism in Melbourne, we're not a derivative but unique.

We'd like to invite both worlds, real and virtual to ‘own' Lent by practising aussie, lay spirituality – bring your own, do it yourself – do no harm (represented by ashes) do a little good )after ash, become the green!)
R.J.M

Last post I wrote about Gerry Ryan's work in Vietnam. I meant it as a reminder to the rest of us that there's only one thing necessary for the triumph of evil - and that's when good people do nothing.
Last weekend, Cameron Reilly, founder/owner of the Pod cast Network, gathered half a dozen people at my place. They call themselves 'Geeks Who Care'. I sat in, with respect. I'm becoming more and more concerned with my behaviour at such gatherings. I really mean to be quiet, maybe helpful when asked.
But, I can't help myself. Maybe it's age. Maybe it's hardening of the arteries. But, there were six lovely, concerned people, used to meeting on the www, now face to face with each other and with grumpy old me. At least, I had the self-control not to use the line with the six that I had hissed out the side of my mouth to a 'Yes' person earlier that day 'Geeks Who Care', eh? What about 'Geeks Who Do!' How cynical, how unappreciative, how unhelpful!
The passion to get things done is a blessing and curse all at once. They say 'can-do-ism' is an American trait. I think it's an Aussie value, too, like knowing about Don Bradman. Maybe it's no-ones national characteristic but a universal trait. I'd better learn as quickly as possibly to celebrate people whenever and wherever they make the effort to plan acts of kindness.
Another of our contacts, Chris of Drug Arm, W.A., put it so simply just the other day. He was describing basic but brave tasks done by his team including 'holding a bucket for an alcohol affected teenager to vomit into'. Chris' fellow worker was demonstrating to that vulnerable teenager that care and concern were at hand. Bleeding heartism? Can it be learned? Can it be taught or only caught?
Whatever, just like Cameron and Chris, please consider gathering a few people together to discuss doing something for someone else.
Which reminds me of my visit last weekend - Australia Day weekend - to Ballan, between Melbourne and Ballarat. Loved it. Helped Mayor hand out awards to locals who'd done good for others.
Caught up with local priest/mate Mick O'Toole who showed me the glass annex he'd put on the front of his 90-year-old Church. Why? To provide hospitable space (toilets, kitchen, armchairs, heating/cooling so Catholics could practise their religion, i.e. putting themselves at service of locals by providing visitor friendly environment, not only for funerals and weddings, but for neighbourhood meetings.
After that I went to a Docklands outdoor Triple J's hottest 100 show. Just for half an hour. Because I'm on Triple J with John Safran, Sundays 9- 11 pm, management wanted me there. Very noisy. Intimidating? The 'congregation' was 20-something's, jumping up and down, singing along, amiable. Contrary to my expectations, it was a humbling experience.
This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday for Catholics. I'd like to offer a 'caste' mark of ash to anyone, not just Catholics, who want to try 40 days of self discipline, through random acts of kindness, ending on Easter weekend (not the kindness, just the pressure to perform). Ash is symbolic of a person reduced, like Wayne and Heath, to basic ingredients. Ash on the forehead is a salutary reminder the best is yet to come.
Prayers requested. Just a reminder that there are a few of our parishioners undergoing long-term medical treatment. Please remember them in your prayers and Masses as they go about enduring their treatment as well as trying to live a normal life.
Caritas - Project Compassion:
Please take home a Project Compassion Box and give generously to the appeal this Lent. Your donations will allow Caritas Australia to reduce poverty and hunger in more than 30 countries around the World.

On Wednesday at 7.30 pm Maria Forde will lead our paraliturgy.
As we approach the very special season of Lent, we are invited to reflect, to take stock, to remember our baptism.
For the past few years Maria Forde has been visiting parishes and inviting parishioners to reflect upon their Lenten journey. Through the use of prayer, ritual and music, Maria discusses the season of Lent, its historical significance and ways that we can mark our own Lenten path.
By the use of powerful ritual, music and images, parishioners are invited to a place of prayer and reflection, to ponder questions such as: What is my relationship with God? Like the grain of wheat, what part of my life must I let die in order to experience new life?
You are invited to join Maria as she leads us in our 'Ash Wednesday' service, this coming Wednesday, 6 February. Ashes will be distributed during this service. Tea & Coffee will be available after the service, if you would like to bring along a plate of food to share it would be greatly appreciated.

Tuesday 18 March (Holy Week)

Sue Kidd will be conducting classes for the sacrament of reconciliation on Thursday, 21 February at 4.30 pm, Thursday, 28 February at 4.30 pm and Wednesday, 5 March at 4.30 pm. there will be a practice on 13 March at 4.00 pm.

If there is any parishioner who wishes their child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please contact Sue on 9646 2686. The Sacramental Commitment will be on 10 February.

Rob Grogan one of our parishioners is gathering information about our Church, which will eventually be put together as an information guide for visitors.
Rob is seeking information about the following families and individuals who have memorials in the Church.
Denis Fitzgibbon, died 12 January 1927, aged 41 years
Minahan family
Philip Skehan, died 17 June, 1921, aged 26 years
Henson family
David Powell
Patrick, Mary and Kate Farnan
John Jensen
Herford Family
Richard (died 26 April 1920, aged 59), and Norah Cuffe (died 8 July 1944, aged 89 years)
Robert and Anastasia Powell (Railway Hotel).
Byrne family.
Frederick, Ellen and William Farnsworth.
If you have any information about these families please give Rob a call on 9699 2895 or email him at robertsgrogan@hotmail.com

Please take home a Project Compassion Box and give generously to the appeal this Lent. Your donations will allow Caritas Australia to reduce poverty and hunger in more than 30 countries around the World.

Just a reminder that there are a few of our parishioners undergoing long-term medical treatment. Please remember them in your prayers and Masses as they go about enduring their treatment as well as trying to live a normal life.
Reconciliation Sacrament 2008