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28 June 2001

Last night I went to the Cardinal Knox Centre at the Cathedral. Fr Tony Schick gave a good talk on the "Liturgy of the Hours", the way psalms are good prayers. I am planning to do a subject on the psalms next semester, which his talk has increased by enthusiasm for.

On Mandy's website I went into the "Your Comments" section for the first time. I had wanted to tell her about a magazine getting her URL wrong again.

There was a disturbing report on www.catholicnews.com about Father Kenneth J. Martin of the NCCBUSCC Secretariat of the Liturgy being arrested. I am expecting the new Roman Missal to be published in a few days. I saw this group as being the main ones to publicise and educate about this. So the timing of this distraction is unfortunate, with the important work they have to do.

1728 Fri 29 June 2001

Tomorrow is the last day of the financial year, so tried to organize my finances a bit better. I rang the Tax Office to get them to send my some information, which should be here in 7 to 10 days. I collected my coins together and took them to the bank, so as to simplify accounting for the next financial year.

While at the shops I bought a book for $10.92, called "Web Server Construction Kit for Macintosh". I also went to the library and borrowed a heap of books. I had my hair cut and did some shopping for a party tomorrow night: beer and two candle holders.

Archbishop "elect" Hart is to receive his pallium from the Pope at 1.30 am tomorrow (our time) along with Archbishop Pell, who gets a new one for becoming Archbishop of Sydney. Perhaps the new Roman Missal will also be launched. That would make it a particularly significant day.

1158 Sat 30 June 2001

Well the ceremony at the Vatican seems to have happened, but no reports of the Roman Missal being published. Cardinal Ratzinger last minute celebrant, according to www.catholicnews.com. I wonder what is happening.

On www.catholic-pages.com there was a discussion about the posture of the people for the Our Father in Mass. I have tried to correct this with a contribution.

Last night I found that I have some site statistics. I had looked before, but did not know where they were. It was good to find out people have been visiting.

1703 Sat 30 June 2001

I have been trying to decide whether I should have a link to www.mandycam.tv. I removed it this morning, but have decided to replace it. I see it as having some good approaches to community building: ways to chat, a good forum etc. I don't agree with everything there, but that applies to other sites as well.

I took the dogs for a walk, saw some local football and thought it over.

2348 Sun 1 July 2001

A good party last night for Clare's 25th birthday. Mass at the Cathedral this morning with Father Dowling. Bought another book "Webmastering for Dummies". Then met people at Colonial Stadium to see an Australian Rules Football game - Richmond (my team) beating St Kilda. From there I caught the train to Mitcham and went to Kepha, a Church group. From there a few of us went to see the movie, Mouline Rouge. I was very impressed with it, especially Nicole Kidman and enjoyed the singing. Back home to read Mandy's journal - wanting to slow down time, since already 25.

1745 Mon 2 Jul 2001

This morning I did some tidying up in the study, collecting together the year's receipts and writing up the accounts. Too many books to read and things to do, so I wanted to get organised. After lunch I watched a play I have made with a few friends and recorded on video, transfering it to a VHS tape. On Sunday night I will be seeing them again, and we may work out a time to watch it.

1202 Tue 3 Jul 2001

The pope has a new missionary intention for the month: "That catechists and lay missionaries may not lack the necessary solid pastoral training." I havebeen wondering about the publication of the new Roman Missal this morning. I added a posting to the www.catholic-pages.com forum:

Nobody should break liturgical laws. They are contained in books like the "Roman Missal" and the "Ceremonial of Bishops" but can be changed for particular countries. Before someone is ordained they should take the Oath of Fidelity which includes: "I shall observe all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law". So these issues do matter and are important. Unfortunately people make mistakes and often are unwilling to admit them and repent. So there is a need for people to learn the liturgical laws and confront those who break them. My web site has more about liturgical law, which can be difficult to interpret.

This afternoon I am going into the city.

1150 Wed 4 Jul 2001

A year ago today I offered my services as a lector at the cathedral in a letter to Father Dowling. I have not yet read there.

There is an interesting story on www.catholicnews.com about a fax on 30 June 2001 from Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, head of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, to Archbishop Weakland about his cathedral renovations. According to the report:

He also objected to the size and location of a eucharistic chapel, the removal of two confessionals, and artwork representing people not formally approved for veneration.

In addition, he said, ``it would seem'' that the original high altar with its baldacchino, a domed canopy, ``should be retained, given also that it is a most suitable location for the reservation of the Most Blessed Sacrament.''

According to the current liturgical law, the Ceremonial of Bishops, n 49: "It is recommended that the tabernacle, in accordance with a very ancient tradition in cathedral churches, should be located in a chapel separate from the main body of the church." According to the 2000 edition of the General Instruction to the Roman Missal, n 315: "the tabernacle should be placed, according to the judgment of the diocesan bishop: ...". Cardinal Estevez should be making this law by getting the Third Edition of the Roman Missal printed and published. I wonder how this will be resolved.

Pleasing to have a response from Anne Ward on the forum on www.catholic-pages.com on what I put on yesterday.

1456 Thu 5 Jul 2001

I have been trying to decide what to do with my car, a1985 Mazda 323. A few phone calls suggest its worth next to nothing. Its not running well and the registration is due, so its time to get rid of it. Its been mine since 1989, so quite a few memories go with it.

Receieved an email from my sister, sent one to someone from www.catholic-pages.com and posted a response on www.askme.com.

1222 Sat 7 Jul 2001

I sold my car yesterday. I was very reluctant to. On the way to the wreckers it seemed to run well. I stopped at a mechanics and asked what he thought. He was encouraging - "seems OK, spend some money, we can fix it". I went to the wreckers, worth $30 as scrap. I wandered around the yard, looking at cars, telling myself I could get the parts, I could fix it. I went to drive away, but the car lost power, which nearly caused a collision. It wouldn't go up the hill, so I pulled over and went for a walk to think about it. Its a shame to be without a car. I have the use of my sister's car for a few months while she is away. But it is not worth spending the money to repair it and I also save on registration and insurance. Fortunately the car started and I did a U turn before it stopped. From there I was able to roll it down the hill to the wreckers and got $50 for it.

From there I caught trains to Geelong where a class mate was being ordained as a deacon. John Harmon and I were both instituted as lectors or 27 February 2000. The Catholic Church uses the term "ordained" for the ceremony making someone a deacon, priest or bishop and the term "instituted" for the ceremony making them a lector or acolyte. Last semester John Harmon and me were in a class of just four students doing a philosophy subject, so I also know him well from that.

During the Mass, the first two readings were done by ladies. They could not be instituted lectors, since Church law only allows men to be instituted as lectors. There were instituted lectors available, I saw them doing jobs as altar servers, and John Harmon himself was there. According to the Code of Canon Law, Canon 230.3 "When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices ...". The lectors were not lacking, but they were not used. John Harmon would recently have taken the Oath of Fidelity, required before his ordination, which includes "I shall observe all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law".

How can I fix this? I am not sure if I can. The plan is to continue with the Tribunal case, educate people, and publicise the truth. Eventually I think people will repent and help fix the problem.

I walked home from station, arriving home at about 1.00 am, in time to see Pat Rafter beat Andre Agassi at Wimbledon.

1555 Sun 8 Jul 2001

Archbishop Hart was the celebrant for Mass at the cathedral this morning. I think it was the first time since the Pope announced that he was to be the Archbishop of Melbourne.

I stand for the Gloria at Mass. That should not be surprising. Following the General Instruction to the Roman Missal, n 21, "at every Mass the people should stand from the beginning of the entrance song or when the priest enters until the end of the opening prayer". According to the Ceremonial of Bishops, n 135, "During the Gloria all stand." But this morning Archbishop Hart sat. Here he was doing what Archbishop Pell did at the 11.00 am Sunday Mass at the cathedral. I believe that I am following the liturgical laws, that Archbishop Hart is not. I wonder how it will be resolved.

I have been thinking about the words "repentance", "conversion" and "betrayal". Obviously "repentance" and "conversion" have positive connotations, while "betrayal" has a very negative one. But does it depend on points of view? I support the Richmond Football Club. Yesterday they lost to Hawthorn. If I had started cheering for Hawthorn instead of Richmond what would be the word for it? For Richmond supporters it would clearly be betrayal. But perhaps Hawthorn supporters would see it as conversion.

So what happens if Archbishop Hart stands for the Gloria next Sunday? From my viewpoint he will have recognized the liturgical error and will have made the correction so as to follow liturgical law. But his concern may be that it will be seen as a betrayal of Archbishop Pell and others who have sat for the Gloria.

Jesus said "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (Mark 1:15). Repentance is a recurring theme in the Bible, but that does not make it easy.

1418 Mon 9 Jul 2001

My last week of holidays until classes start next week. I slept in this morning and then went for a pleasent walk with the dogs.

Mandy of www.Mandcam.tv looks sick. The timing is a shame, particularly with it being her birthday tomorrow and her parents visiting during the week.

0023 Tue 10 Jul 2001

Pat Rafter has just lost the final at Wimbledon, which is a shame. I did not watch it, but it was on the background. I have been typing up the fax of Cardinal Estevez to Archbishop Weakland, of 30 June. I have added it to the "Milwakee Cathedral Dispute" section. It has given me a better understanding of his decision.

I have been submitting the site to search engines. I found my home page lacked "meta name" descriptions and keywords. Hopefully having now listed them the search engines will list the website.

1002 Wed 11 Jul 2001

I have been thinking about economics recently. Yesterday information from the Australain Tax Office (ATO) arrived. There is a "Charity Pack" which includes "Are you a charity?". On page 56 it has "Non-profit entities that operate for the public benefit to advance religion in a direct and immediate sense are charities." It gives examples: One example of a charity: "clergy funds to maintain priests, pastors, ministers of religion, students for the ministry etc." An example of a non-charity: "lobbying bodies, for example groups applying pressure on church governance issues." According to page 2 of the pack: "If the ATO gives you notice that you are endorsed as an income tax exempt charity (ITEC): you are exempt from income tax, and you do not need to lodge income tax returns, unless specifically requested."

How difficult would it be to create an entity that would be regarded as a charity? I think very difficult, unless you are a big organisation.

Jesus said "For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." (Mark 4:25). I think he was talking about one's understanding of religion, rather than economics. But there is a sense of parallels. If you are well organised enough to set up entities you will pay less tax.

Even for me to become an contractor seems very complicated. Today "The Australian" newspaper has an article on page 11 by Alice McCleary, highlighting the complexity:

contractors will have the luxury of playing Russian roulette and guessing (the technical term is self-assessing) the own tax status. To do this, they need to do several things retrospectively from July 1 last year.

First, contractors should read and understand divisions 84, 85, 86 and 87 on Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (35 pages).

Second, they will need to read and understand the ATO's two draft tax rulings on the topic (56 pages), in the full knowledge that draft tax rulings "may not be relied upon by taxation officers, taxpayers and practicioners", to quote from the draft rulings. ...

The full story would be on www.theaustralian.com.au. Rather than simply being people, we are legal entities. It seems unnecessarily complicated, but I think I will more effective if I learn more about it.

1217 Thu 12 Jul 2001

A couple of particularly good articles in The Australian this morning. The first was by Fiona Stewart, "Costello must focus 80-20 vision" talking about knowledge workers and taxing contractors. The second was by Germaine Greer "We are Big Brother". I disagree with a lot of what she wrote, but it helps me think through relevant issues. She wrote "Pope John Paul II has denounced reality television as incompatible with human dignity." I don't know what she is referring to here, but it sounds too simple and succinct to me. Last year I read most her the "The Whole Woman" which I also thought covered important ethical issues.

1446 Fri 13 Jul 2001

Last day of three weeks holiday. Surfed the net, added a contribution to www.catholic-pages.com, sent an email, thought about ways to fix liturgy, and walked the dogs.

1347 Sat 14 Jul 2001

I have started doing my tax return this morning, trying to learn more about economics and sensible business structures. There is lots more in "The Australian" today about taxing contractors - Shelley Gare, Peter Switzer, Terry McCrann - all highlighting the problems. I think something will change, with all these people concerned. A quote from Shelley Gare presents the problem as I see it:

Greg Hayes, of Sydney accountants Hayes Knight, describes a 15-year process that has had the ATO dump more and more responsibility on the taxpayer, with a consequent higher risk of penalties and accumulated back taxes if you then get it wrong. He says: "We've moved from a situation where the organisation that has the resources and should have knowledge has handed responsibility back to the group that doesn't have the resources and knowledge. The conclusion has to be it has been a cost-cutting exercise."

Perhaps the more complicated accountants make it seem, the more their assistance will be valued. So I need to keep learning about it, and not just get scared off about it all being too complicated. I think.

This evening I am going to an ordination of Paul Newton as a deacon at Greensborough. I think the plan is then for him to go and do studies in Rome. I was only with him at the seminary for six months, since he arrived in my second year having done earlier studies. We did not always agree on liturgical issues, but I think he had a good appreciation of the importance of them.

2216 Sun 15 Jul 2001

This morning I caught the train to the city for Mass at the cathedral. This was followed by lunch with friends, saw the movie Swordfish in the city, and then went to a talk with a group at Mitcham. At about 8.15 pm I arrived at Miranda Lynch's where a few of us regularly meet on Sunday evening. There is more about Miranda on her website.

2157 Mon 16 Jul 2001

Today I got my PowerBook 100 computer working. I think I bought it in 1991, so it has lasted well. The computer would not start due to a problem with the hard drive. My solution has been to use a Zip drive I have, so that it will be running on this instead. The hard drive was making a noise, so I opened it up to remove it. I also had a Stylewriter printer that was not being used. I packed it all into a beer carton and drove it to Catholic Theological College.

On the way there was a disturbing news item being discussed on the 3LO radio station. According to an ABC news report:

Police expect to lay
charges over abortion
clinic death

Police expect to lay charges tonight after a security guard was shot and killed at an abortion clinic in east Melbourne today.

The tragedy happened just after10:00am AEST this morning.

It is alleged a man walked into the Wellington Parade Fertility Control Clinic, pulled a rifle from his bag and opened fire.

A 45-year-old guard was killed. Police say they have no motive yet for his murder.

Here is a link to the full report: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2001/07/item20010716181042_1.htm

Another aspect being reported on here is: "Right-to-life groups are distancing themselves from the murder of a security guard outside a Melbourne abortion clinic."

Six days a week they have people in front of it. I was one of them, a few times, earlier this year. I would have said it was a public demonstration, a protest, as well as prayer and offering information to those entering. I had a sign once (the last time I was there) which said "Choose Life". Neighbours were saying people were obstructed and harassed. During my time there I did not see people being obstructed - there was no sense of picket line. The lady from the group (being interviewed on the radio) said they would be back there tomorrow. So I guess that will be a media event.

Unfortunately people tend to blame the Right-to-life groups for causing the problem. Rather than saying abortion is an immoral thing, which causes great harm in our society, the blame tend to go to those who are proclaiming this message. So this will be an important test for the public relations people of the Catholic Church in Melbourne.