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Father’s Day, September 5, 2010

September 2, 2010

Near the end of the New Zealand movie, “Boy” (2010), there is a poignant scene where Alamein’s two young sons, Boy and Rocky, in the limited awareness of their childhood, realise that they are distinct from their father.  In that moment both of them become freer to be with him just as he is – as someone other. Alamein has many gifts but many more flaws. As the boys begin to experience him as other, aware of his gifts and flaws, they are better able to be with him as “father”, as “Dad”.

Each year Father’s Day awakens awareness, memories, and feelings about fathers and fatherhood. Whatever a person’s relationship with their father, it is in that relationship that so much is made or not made, so much said or not said.  In one way or another, this primal relationship is one that has a considerable bearing on how each person turns out.

Psychoanalyst Louise Kaplan says, “Fathers represent another way of looking at life - the possibility of an alternative dialogue.”  In other words, fathers, through whatever has happened between them and their family, take their children into alternative worlds that require a congruent response, a fresh stance in reality.

While fathers and their children are bound by blood, poet Johann Schiller makes the point that there is more to it. He says, “It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons (sic)”.  May the heart connections that exist between fathers and their children, and which transcend imperfection and death, remain a source of life.  May they invigorate an “alternative dialogue” within families and among the nations.

From all the Redemptorists and our partners in mission – a very happy Father’s Day!

 

The late Dan Fogelberg sings his famous ballad "Leader of the band"

 

Bob Carlisle’s ”Your Father’s Love” is sung here by Gary Velenciano

 

Teresa James sings “You’re my hero”

 

Reunited for their 2004 concert at London’s Shepherds Bush, Mike and the Mechanics sing “The Living Years” (adjust your speakers to suit)

 

All those years ago Cat Stevens tunes his guitar and sings “Father and Son”

 

The fact is that many fathers show their love more by what they do rather than by anything they say.  Bucky Covington sings of this in “A Father’s Love”

 

The late Luther Vandross sings “Dance with my father again”

 

Finally, a vodcast of President Barack Obama, speaking on Father’s Day, 2007

 

Death of Raimon Panikkar, 'apostle of inter-faith dialogue'

September 1, 2010

There are people everywhere who are shining lights in the midst of the human experience. With intuition and scholarship these women and men shine a light on the approaching paths of the human journey.

Raimon Panikkar (1918-2010), a Catholic priest from Catalonia was such a man. Growing up in a family with a Catholic Catalan mother and Hindu Indian father prepared him for a life exploring inter-religious dialogue.

Panikkar, who died on August 26, was alert in his life to a new spring time emerging across the world, a time in which fresh eras of dialogue were becoming possible.  In the previous news item on this site (August 13), Redemptorist Fr. Tony Kelly highlighted just how new such dialogue is in humanity’s long experience - view video.

It was to this dialogue among world religions that Panikkar eventually dedicated his years. In doing so his life became a prophetic witness to religious and human possibility over the coming millennium. His faith and teachings witness to the fullness of the risen Christ permeating the world at large.

September 19-29, the Redemptorists of Asia-Oceania will be meeting in Bangalore, India.  At their meeting they will be cognizant of the wider issues that stand out in this part of the world.  Not least among these issues is the dialogue among the great world religions – particularly Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

Yesterday’s (August 31) issue of the National Catholic Reporter has a summary of the life of Raimon Panikkar. You can view it HERE.

Big questions, dialogue, hope

August 13, 2010

“On this extraordinary thing we call dialogue”, says Redemptorist Fr. Tony Kelly, “something real is going on in the world that has never happened before.”

“For the first time people are consciously meeting, not putting in reserve or holding in suspension what they believe, but for the first time meeting the other, be it friend, fellow traveller, adversary; and there is a sharing of consciousness. Such sharing is an event, the outcome of which is not yet decided. ”

Fr. Kelly noted the lament among Australia’s Aboriginal nations concerning their loss of culture and tradition.  But he went on to make the point: what Aborigines are experiencing is being experienced in cultures right across the world.  In negotiating such change, Fr. Kelly says, “Aborigines are not so much casualties but pioneers of what is happening on a more cosmic or global scene”.

Fr. Kelly was speaking at a June, 2010, conference at the Brisbane campus of the Australian Catholic University.  The conference was entitled “Dreaming a new earth – indigenous spiritualities and the vision of Raimon Panikkar”. Fr. Kelly particularly examined whether or not interreligious dialogue was something new.

The Jesuit’s “Eureka Street” recently interviewed Fr. Kelly on interreligious dialogue. Click the video below to watch the interview.

 

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* Tony Kelly is a Redemptorist priest. His doctoral and post-doctoral studies were in Rome, Toronto and Paris. Before taking up his present position he was for many years involved in Yarra Theological Union in Melbourne where he was President of YTU for ten years. He is a former President of Australian Catholic Theological Association, and a Past Chair of the Forum of Australian Catholic Institutes of Theology. Tony was Head of Sub-Faculty of Philosophy and Theology at the Australian Catholic University from 1999 – 2004, and in February 2004, he was appointed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the International Theological Commission. Benedict XVI reappointed Fr. Kelly to the ITC in July, 2009.

Eureka Street magazine, an outreach of the Australian Jesuits, is committed to tell stories from  humane perspectives often lacking in other media.

Devastating floods across Pakistan

August 10, 2010

Millions of people are displaced, millions more hungry and in other ways ruined as catastrophic floods this week swept across Pakistan.

Speaking of the floods, a UN spokesman said today: “The toll of those affected may exceed the combined total for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.”

The Pakistan government and Pakistani people are imploring the rest of the world for assistance of whatever kind as they struggle to deal with the devastation brought about by the floods.

“The situation is horrendous”, said Caritas Australia’s Jack de Groot. “Millions are in dire need of water, food, cookware and shelter but with roads and bridges submerged or completely destroyed many of these people have been completely cut off.”

“Displaced communities, and particularly their most vulnerable members – children, the disabled, women and the elderly - will be in desperate need of healthcare, sanitation, food and water, shelter and of course, in the long-term, the resources and assistance to rebuild.”

If you would care to join the Redemptorists in contributing to the Pakistan flood appeal, you are welcome to do so through any of the following agencies.
 
CARITAS AUSTRALIA 

CARITAS EOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND 

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS

OXFAM  AUSTRALIA 

OXFAM NEW ZEALAND

Pope appoints Redemptorist to Vatican post

August 3, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI today appointed Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Tobin as Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic life (previously known the Congregation for religious). As secretary, Fr. Tobin will be working with Vincentian Cardinal Frank Rode who is prefect of the same Vatican congregation.

The pope also nominated Fr. Tobin to serve the Church as archbishop.  The date for his Episcopal ordination is yet to be announced.

At the end of 2009, Fr. Tobin finished a twelve-year term as superior general of the Redemptorist Congregation worldwide. During that time he oversaw the expanding missionary outreach of the Redemptorists and implemented the General Chapter’s goal of restructuring the Redemptorists culturally and regionally.

Joseph Tobin was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA on May 3. 1952. He is the eldest of thirteen children born to Joseph and Marie Terese Tobin.  He grew up as a member of the Redemptorist Holy Redeemer parish in Detroit, and entered the Redemptorist minor seminary in the autumn of 1966. He went on to the novitiate in July 1972 and on August 5, 1973 made his first profession into Redemptorist missionary life. He completed his philosophy studies at Holy Redeemer College, Waterford, Wisconsin and theology studies at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary, Esopus, NY, USA, earning his Masters Degrees in Religious Education and Divinity. Father Tobin made his perpetual profession on August 21, 1976 and was ordained priest on June 1, 1978.

From 1979 to 1990 he served first as assistant priest and then as the pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish, Detroit – the parish of his youth.  He also served the local diocese as an Episcopal vicar and judge in the metropolitan tribunal. In 1990 he was named pastor of St. Alphonsus Church in Chicago, Illinois. Both assignments included extensive ministry among Hispanic populations. In Itaici, Brazil, he was elected by the 1991 General Chapter to serve as a General Consulter to then Superior General, Fr. Juan Manual Lasso de la Vega, and he transferred to Rome.

The 1997 General Chapter, held in West End, New Jersey, USA, elected Father Tobin Superior General. He was re-elected in Rome at the 2003 General Chapter. During his service as Superior General, the Union of Superiors General (USG) twice elected Father Tobin as their Vice President. He was also selected to be a member of five Synods of Bishops (1998, 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2008).

In June, 2010, Pope Benedict asked Father Tobin to be one of two apostolic visitors to Ireland’s religious orders of men in order to assist the Irish Church in the wake of the sex abuse scandals. 

The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (Congregatio pro Institutis Vitae Consecratae et Societatibus Vitae Apostolicae; CIVCSVA) is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for accompanying institutes of consecrated life (orders, congregations and secular institutes of men and women,) and Societies of Apostolic Life.

At a period in history when religious life is rediscovering its prophetic role in the world, religious everywhere will be looking forward to Fr. Tobin’s accompaniment and leadership.  He remains in our prayer.

A new web resource on the Scriptures

August 3, 2010

Redemptorist Fr. John Hill recently launched his new web site www.austbiblica.org . By exploring “biblical studies in an Australian context” Austbiblica brings fresh insight into the Scriptures from a land down under.

An Austbiblica treasure is to be found in the segment Texts of Terra. Here Fr. Hill personally sheds light on the scriptural tradition as it is experienced in the land. While letting the land ‘exegete’ the scriptures and allowing the scriptures to make an exposé of the land, Fr. Hill goes on to examine the assumptions, partnerships, literature, and transcendent experiences that accompany human culture in the land.

Austbiblica also provides critical research into the prophet Jeremiah which is suitable for tertiary level students, academic researchers, and anyone interested in contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation.

Prior to his specialising in Scripture studies, Fr. Hill in his early years as a Redemptorist priest gave parish missions and school retreats in various parts of Australia. At one period during his studies he was Catholic chaplain at the University of Sydney. Originally from Perth, he taught for a year in the theological college in Singapore, and has since taught Old Testament studies at Yarra Theological Union in Box Hill, Melbourne.

As his web site attests, Fr. Hill’s major research areas are on the Hebrew prophets, particularly Jeremiah, and also on The Bible and the Land, relating biblical themes to Australian literature and history, including the relationship with the land and aboriginal issues.

For some years he has been a member of the pastoral team for the deaf community in the state of Victoria, and continues this involvement with them.

As a member of the Redemptorist community in Kew, Victoria, Fr. John guides the missionary formation of Redemptorist students. He has also served several terms on the governing body of the Redemptorists in Australia.

New justice forum

July 29, 2010

Social Policy Connections has just launched its new discussion forum and you are welcome to join.

One of the major goals of Social Policy Connections is to connect individuals and groups campaigning for social justice.  That is why the Redemptorists are happy to refer you to the Social Policy Connections site and its new discussion forum.

There you will have the chance to join in the various dialogues and a chance to connect more closely with fellow travellers and organisations.

Australia’s federal election is just around the corner, so now is an ideal time to speak up for social justice. The SPC forum is a means to do that.
 
Click HERE to go to the Social Policy Connections forum.
 
If you would care to see a tutorial on how to use the forum, please click HERE

You may also be interested in visiting the The Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy site. The Institute explores contemporary social issues from an ethical point of view, while drawing on the deep scholarly resources in church and community groups more broadly. The Institute’s director is Redemptorist Fr. Bruce Duncan.

Change in worship style among Western Catholics

June 10, 2010

In Western countries something is happening to Catholic worship.  Yes, there are things happening in Vatican departments to guide proper worship. And there are efforts in English speaking countries to furnish Catholics with fresh texts for their liturgy. But there is something else happening at another level, the local level.

Somewhat imperceptibly, Western Catholics are seeing their worship less as something they go to but something they do. Whereas in the past Catholics have gone to Mass (Eucharist), today there are some who do Eucharist (Mass). This is by no means a universal phenomenon among Western Catholics, but it is nevertheless a phenomenon among some.

It is not about saying one way is better than the other. But it is about saying there is something happening at the grassroots.  There are increasing numbers of Catholics in the West who have drifted from any form of practicing Christianity.  Could these people be among those who have fallen between going to Eucharist and doing Eucharist?  There are many Western Catholics who still go to Eucharist and who do so gladly and with great faith.  And there are some, more often younger Catholics, who don’t go to Eucharist, at least not often, but who would understand themselves as doing Eucharist.

This latter group would perhaps unwittingly have a different take on Jesus’ command, “Do this in memory of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). When they set out to be present to people at home and at work, and especially among the poor and disadvantaged, they inherently know they are “doing this in memory of him”. They are somewhat aware that when two or three of them gather in his name he is in their midst wherever that be (cf. Matthew 18:20). It is a different understanding of real presence.

Underneath all this is a different take on “going to church”. For these Catholics could it be that Church has come to them in their work-a-day lives? Could it be that they both experience and see their loving lives as worship? If that were the case, it would not be unlike the worship that the prophets called for and which Jesus encouraged, the kind that God wants (cf. Amos 5:21-22).

In this evolution among Western Catholics, we are left with the yet unanswered question: when and where will we tell the stories and hear the Scriptures that entice believers to such a way of worshiping, this Jesus way of living?

In transitional times it is not easy to see what it happening, nor is it easy to understand it even when we do see it. In that sense this early 21st century is, in Western Catholicism, a time to wait on the guidance of God’s Spirit, not least in trying to better understand Eucharist.

To that end, for the feast of Corpus Christi, Fr. Anthony Kelly, C.Ss.R., provides food for thought when he asks “How can Eucharist make us more attractive and meaningful?” That he says “is the real question”.

Click HERE  to read Fr. Kelly’s article.

Pentecost, 2010

May 20, 2010

Redemptorist theologian Anthony Kelly says “that this is not a time for faith to lose its nerve”.

Yet today, giving up on faith is a very tempting option for many believers.  And why not?  The world is in an all too apparent mess with its injustice, violence and greed. What difference can faith make there?  The Church is riddled with scandals as it hangs onto medieval structures well past their use-by date.  What difference can faith make there?

Plenty, says Fr. Kelly, and he points to hope as the way in.  He attests that “Hope can see this moment of history as a time of special promise”. He goes on to say that this is not a time “to forget the inexhaustible creativity of God’s Spirit”.

This Pentecost the Redemptorists join you in relishing the gift of hope.  As it participates in the Creator and in his creation, humanity is in every age graced with hope. With you we give thanks for that hope, for it springs eternal in human hearts and in human relationships.

And to flavour our hope Fr. Kelly encourages us “to laugh at ourselves a bit – to take things seriously, but not too seriously.”

Fr. Kelly’s reflection, “The Holy Spirit in today’s world?” is our web site feature for Pentecost, 2010, and you may read it HERE.

Australian politics; A plea for moral leadership

May 13, 2010

Australian treasurer, Wayne Swan, last Tuesday (May 11) brought down the 2010-11 federal government’s budget. While much of the rest of the world is still being buffeted by the storms of the World Financial Crisis, treasurer Swan’s chose an “easy as we go” budget for Australia. Immediately it does not increase spending, nor does it increase taxes. Such a budget means that Kevin Rudd’s federal government has had to pull back from some of its campaign promises to tak

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