THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
12th December 2004
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Ray Kuzweil in his book “The Age of Spiritual Machines” maintains that in 100 years’ time, a ‘personal computer’ will be the common term referring to the house of the mind. The self will be pure information, and its body something which may begin as a biological entity but may then be upgraded again and again to take advantage of the latest hardware. Once we recognise, he believes, that our essence is in our software, we will leave the body behind. It would be a pleasing irony if the ultimate triumph of materialism should herald a return to the self as that insubstantial Platonic entity better known as the ‘soul’. (Nicholas Fearn)
REASSURANCE
A lady confessed to her priest that she spend a lot of time looking into the mirror and saying to herself that she was getting prettier and slimmer every day, to which he replied “That is not a sin at all, only a mistake.”
CARPING
One day, God said to Noah. “Noah I want you to build another Ark.” What, like the last one?” asks Noah. “Yes” replies God, “Except this time, I want it to have 14 decks.” “And shall I lead all the animals into it, two by two, like last time?”says Noah. “No, this time I only want you to lead fish into it.” Noah is a little puzzled. “Just fish?” he asks. Yes” says God. “In fact, just carp.” Just carp? Why carp?” Noah quizzes. Well”, says God, “I’ve always wanted a multi-storey carp Ark.”
AN OCCUPATIONAL EPITAPH
Here lies in a horizontal position the outside case of Thomas Hine, clock and watch maker. Who departed this life wound up in hope of being taken in hand by his Maker and being thoroughly cleaned repaired and set a-going in the world to come. On the 15th of August 1836 in the ninetieth year of his life.
ANOTHER OCCUPATIONAL EPITAPH
Beneath this dust lies the mouldering crust
Of Eleanor Batchelor Shoven
Well versed in the arts
Of pies, puddings and tarts
And the lucrative trade of the oven.
When she’d lived long enough
She made her last puff,
A puff by her husband much praised.
And now she does lie and makes a dirt pie
And hopes that her crust will be raised.
EPITAPH OF A HYPOCHONDRIAC
I told you so!
EPIGRAMS
What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.
S.T Coleridge (I think)
THOUGHTS ON EUTHANASIA
Fr Andrew Neaum
Anyone who wanders regularly around geriatric wards, as I do, cannot but be disturbed at the state of some of the residents who, chronically non compos mentis, lie or sit, slack-mouthed and vacant-eyed year after year. It is impossible not to wonder, because death seems infinitely preferable to such a life, whether death should not be assisted and brought forward. Only last week on a visit to such an institution while waiting to see someone, a poor old thing was shrieking her dismay at life, or half life. Younger people I visit who are dying inch by inch of some dreadful disease make me wonder too.
Executioner or doctor
And yet one of my favourite quotations on Euthanasia comes from Sir John Grimley Evans, who used to be the professor of gerontology at the University of Oxford. He said in an article, “Euthanasia, if it ever comes, will be a job for public executioners, not for doctors.” This quote reinforces the approach to doctor and patient relations that my old father had. He asked any new doctor he visited whether or not he believed in euthanasia. If the doctor said that he did, or equivocated in any way, then my father found another doctor! If doctors are to be granted a legal right to knock us off as well as to heal us, then no matter how hedged about that right to kill is, their relationship with their patients will be fundamentally changed.
Tightly defined
On thinking the matter carefully through, I discover that I am against euthanasia firmly and definitely, though only against euthanasia tightly defined. Allowing nature to take its course instead of always “striving officiously” to keep people alive by artificial means is not euthanasia. In the right circumstances discontinuing medication is right and proper. Administering drugs to relieve pain but which might, in some cases and as a secondary consequence hasten an inevitable death is not euthanasia either, in some circumstances it has to be done and is an act of admirable mercy.
Wicked and deceitful hearts
There are no depths to which humankind cannot sink. Once we are on the slippery slope of sanctioned medical killing who knows where it will end? As Robert Manne has said: “In discussions of voluntary euthanasia it is generally assumed that families of the terminally ill can be relied upon to be compassionate, altruistic and sensitive to the needs not of themselves but of their ‘loved ones’.Yet even the most elementary knowledge of human nature will tell us that while some families will treat older parents afflicted by terrible illness with love and respect, others will find the pain of their elderly parents merely ugly and their obligation of endless hospital visits over weeks or months distinctly tiresome. In such circumstances is it not at least possible that, in the family discussions concerning the future, pressure will be applied which will suggest to someone who is terminally ill that no good can come from their purposeless clinging to life, that they have become a mere burden, and that they owe it to their suffering family to request an officially sanctioned death? Will it not be the case that even among those of the afflicted who are genuinely loved that some, in the depths of depression and fear, will imagine falsely that it is their death that their families most desire?”
Quality of life
What disturbs me in many discussions of euthanasia is the phrase “quality of life”. It is argued that when there is no “quality of life” left in our earthly existence, we are better off dead and that therefore death should be administered if desired. What is meant by “quality of life”? It seems to me as I listen to such arguments that the “quality of life” referred to is typical, hedonistic, middle class, self-indulgent, golf, bowls, arrogant master-of-my-own-fate and captain-of-my-own-soul, repellent, bourgeois selfishness. Whereas the “quality of life” that I personally aspire to is that in which courage, fortitude, love, self-sacrifice, loyalty and dying-to-self are to the fore. Lives of such quality are often to be seen more starkly and movingly in geriatric homes (in the fortitude of residents, in the regular and loving visits of family and friends and in the devoted and patient ministrations of nurses, therapists and staff) or in the homes of folk caring for elderly or dying relatives, than they are on the golf course or in fancy restaurants. A great deal of the desire for legalised euthanasia is more selfish than compassionate then.
If tightly defined, Euthanasia is undesirable and unnecessary. Our reservations about it are commendable.
HERESY
A young priest came to me and said, “Your Excellency, I am losing my faith.” I said to him, “Meaning no disrespect to your intellectual attainments, but you and I are too dumb to lose our faith. The great heretics like Martin Luther lose their faith. You and I just get bored.” Cardinal Cushing
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
We thank you Lord God for the saints of all ages; for those who in times of darkness kept the lamp of faith burning; for the great souls who saw visions of larger truth and dared to declare it; for the multitude of quiet and gracious souls whose presence has purified and sanctified the world; and for those known and loved by us, who have passed from this earthly fellowship into the fuller light of life with you.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthdays
Margaret Osbrough. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday the 13th
Caitlyn Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tuesday the 14th
Tolsa Baxter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday the 14th
Charles Grant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday the 17th
Joy Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday the 18th
Lawrie Tinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday the 18th
Robert Cormican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday the 18th
Wedding Anniversaries
Maurice & Nancy Fennell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday the 12th
RECESS
Your Rector and his wife, with Kath Grills, were on our way to Katandra West’s Patronal Festival on Wednesday night when I remembered that I had locked the Church before leaving, forgetting that the Prayer Support Group were meeting there that night. We had no mobile phone with us and Carole was away in Melbourne, so nothing could be done except a little appropriate breast beating. The next day I met Peter Martin coming in to the narthex, began to apologise and he grinned and said there had been no problem, they had simply met instead in their our house ...... How delightful ready forgiveness is! The Prayer Support Group, though not prayer itself, has gone into recess for the Christmas period, please note.
CAROL SERVICE
The augmented choir will lead our annual Carol Service on Friday at 7.30pm. This will be followed by a glass of wine or cup of tea and a bite to eat if anyone brings along a plate of suitable nosh. Those with palates too refined for vin ordinaire might bring along a bottle too and slip a sip to the Rector whose palate sometimes pretends to be refined. Do encourage your friends to come along. This is a service not a concert, but one unburdened by sermons and long-windedness and there are plenty of well known carols to be sung by all.
“OUTREACH” REVIVED
Congratulations to Ron Rose and his team of helpers on getting out an edition of “Outreach”. This magazine we hope will be produced either three or four times a year. Our substantial pewsheet doesn’t have as wide a circulation, hence the need felt for “Outreach” to continue. Another difference from the pewsheet is that we want “Outreach” to be very much a “people’s paper”. The Rector is not the editor and decisions as to what goes in or does not are not made by him, though his advice might be sought sometimes. We encourage submissions, letters to the editor (if short and charitable) and so on. Please take and deliver as many as you can! Postage is very expensive. I notice that there are still sets of envelopes not collected. Please see if you can deliver any of these.
KATANDRA AND DOOKIE SERVICES
There will be no Service at St. Mary’s Katandra West on the 19th December, as there is a service at St. Brendan’s to celebrate their 50th anniversary, all parishioners are invited to attend this service. On Boxing Day, which most inconsiderately is a Sunday, there will be no services at either Katandra or Dookie.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council meets on Wednesday. If a bottle or two and a plate or three are brought along, and if we can stop gassing in time, we will close with a convivial sip and munch.
HALL KITCHEN
Please note that renovations will be starting on the Hall kitchen in the new year so this facility will not be available for use during all of February and the first week in March.
THANK YOU
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support while I was in hospital they were very much appreciated. Reta Esam
THE CHRISTMAS BOWL GIVING
Gifts to the Christmas Bowl for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission will continue to facilitate true reconciliation within our nation, Australia.
God of tenderness and compassion, open our hearts to reach out to all who have been created by you, giving the courage to hope for peace.
The Christmas Bowl giving envelopes are on the Narthex Table at the back of the Church.
CHRISTMAS ANGELS
Anglicare Christmas Angels and pens are available for sale, they will also be sold at Bunnings on the 11th December if anyone can help on this day please contact the office. Thanks to Bev Condon for so readily agreeing to organise all of this. Do please support her if you are able. You might even have the dubious privilege of wearing an Anglicare baseball cap!
LAST CHANCE TO HELP VULNERABLE
FAMILIES ENJOY CHRISTMAS.
When doing your shopping keep in mind the less fortunate and purchase an item or two for the Anglicare Appeal which closes on the 15th of December. Items can be left in the basket in the Narthex or the office. There is a poster in the Narthex with ideas for gifts and food items. Keep in mind that most gifts received are for younger children and there are normally not enough gifts suitable for teenagers. Cash donations are also very acceptable.
MONDAY ROSTER
We are again making a roster for help in the office on Mondays to assist Father Andrew and Margaret enjoy their day off. It has worked very well this year and I would like to thank everyone who has helped out. If there is anyone who would be willing to go on a roster for next year let the office know. It could be a morning or afternoon 3 hour stint, mainly answering the phone. Thanks! Heather.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Instead of delivering Christmas Hampers this year, the Social Responsibilities Committee has decided that we will stock up our cupboard with some substantial and perhaps rather better quality food, and give it out, judiciously, to any of the needy who come to us during, or indeed after, the festive season, which is a time that family budgets are sometimes in a dire state. We are able to do this because of the generosity of folk who regularly bring foodstuffs as part of their Sunday Offering and also the generosity of Fairley’s IGA, who make a substantial annual donation of goods to us. We are interested in the names of any families or individuals known to parishioners who might well be worthy recip-ients of a gift of food of some sort at this time.
Duties for 12th December
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyn Cowland, Pat Griffin
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrea Fisher, Joan McCann
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle, Stephen, Debbie
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan McCann
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Griffin, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Condon, Carole Henderson
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Neaum, Children
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean, Bev Reither
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Judy Longley, Adrian Evans
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Batey, Victoria Heenan
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Akers, Adrian Evans
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Reither
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lionel Waterson, Adrian Evans
Duties for 19th December 2004
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Carlyon, Norm Mitchelmore
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Fennell, Lionel Waterson,
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth, Kate, James
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Fitzgerald, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine Evans, Maureen Cormican
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Heenan, Jenny Pleming
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beryl Goodfellow, Cecily McDonald
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Simonis, Charlotte Brewer
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Galt, Joe Pearson
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Brewer, Nola Brewer
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Reither
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Steen, Michael Egan
FOR PRAYER
Joyce & Vernon Auldrige, Liam Bognar, Len Brereton, Daniel Cowan, Rae Egan, Lachlan Falls, Richard Goodfellow, Ron Hall, Noel Heenan, Barry Henderson, Tanya & Peter Lindberg, Jackie Liversedge, Joyce Maloney, Ann Mills, Margaret Noble, Richard Pearson, Ray Prosser, Margaret Robinson, Rodger Saville, Susan Stone, Peter & Eva Swindells, Gladys Trencher, May Wallace, Lillian Walter, Brian Ward, Stan Windley, Darren, Elizabeth, Faith, John, Lindsay, Gladys, Alan, Glenda, Dorrie, Brian, Mary, Julie, Pat, Jackie, Bernie, Kyla, Georgina.
Anniversary of Death
Alma Watts 12th, Anna McInnes, Violet Ball 13th
Rest in Peace
Zaidee Turner, Marjorie Green, Irene Beard
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE DIARY
Dec 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Council
Dec 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Service of Readings & Carols
Dec 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orthodox Wedding 1.30pm
Dec 18th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 4pm
Dec 19th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50th Anniv. Service St Bernard’s Katandra
Dec 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.30pm Children’s Christmas Eucharist
Dec 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 4pm
Jan 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding
Feb 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Feb 12th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Feb 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Mar 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quarterly Garden Working Bee
March 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding
Jun 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quarterly Garden Working Bee
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 13th December
Father Andrew’s day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday 14th Decmber
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Baptism Preparation
Wednesday 15th December Ember Wednesday
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
1.30pm Hakea Lodge
6.00pm Evening Prayer
No Study Group
7.30pm Parish Council
Thursday 16th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Evening Prayer
5.30pm Wedding Rehearsal
7.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 17th December Ember Friday
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
11.00am Ave Maria
5.30pm Wedding Rehearsal
6.00pm Evening Prayer
7.00pm Service of Carols & Readings
Saturday 18th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
1.30pm Orthodox Wedding
4.00pm Wedding
6.00pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm. Vigil Eucharist
Sunday 19th December
8.00am Mattins - Lady Chapel
8.30am Sung Eucharist
9.00am Eucharist - Dookie
10.30amEucharist - St Augustine’s
10.30am 50th Anniv. Service - St. Bernard’s/Katandra
5.30pm Evening Prayer - St Augustine