Catholica Australia: Email0081

It's been another busy, and fulfilling, week for all of us here at Catholica. I'm pleased to report that our fund-raising efforts are on track and we are in the process of sending a background briefing to each of the bishops in Australia, and also some of the other religious leaders, explaining the genesis of Catholica Australia and what it's objectives are and seeking their moral support of our endeavour. They can expect to receive our briefing paper early in the coming week.

I am still looking for another female voice to write a weekly commentary. Ideally we would like someone who is in the mid-stage of raising a family with teenagers or young adults. For just a little while longer now our writers are volunteering their contributions to help us get Catholica off the ground. In the not too distant future though, and God willing, the daily commentaries will attract a remuneration of around $200 per contribution. If you know an experienced writer who would be able to offer a female commentary sympathetic to the objectives of the Catholica Australia initiative written from the perspective above please contact the editor, Brian Coyne. Please see Cliff's comment further down this page about the Writers' Workshop. We would also welcome enquiries from individuals who perhaps don't yet have extensive writing experience but who would like to use this as a training opportunity.

Avatar Cindy confronts the thoughts of a priestless parish... There's a growing sense of panic at St Michael's. Word is out that Fr Cunning is about to be transferred and the diocese doesn't have a replacement priest. The rumours are rife and Cindy explores some of the questions that are being asked. [more]

WRITERS' WORKSHOP...

Cliff reports that he has had the first takers for his Writer's Workshop. If you would like to improve your writing skills why not take up Cliff's offer. He's basically offering his experience to anyone who wants to avail themselves of this opportunity for free. For those who can afford a small donation to cover some of his time and overheads it would be appreciated. In a short note today he directs our attention to a recent video produced by young Armenians who are endeavouring to keep alive the memory of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks which cost the lives of more than one million of their ancestors. It is powerful stuff. Our own appeal for the Nersisyan family in Armenia received another $50 donation during the week taking our total contribution now to $370. Thank you to all who have contributed to this appeal.

Cliff writes…

Today the Curmudgeon takes a back seat for young Christians. This is in line with the old fart's ambition to encourage young creative people. In response to my appeal to begin a writer's workshop Armen Gakavian has sent me a video prepared by young Armenians in remembrance of the Genocide perpetrated by the Turks, costing more than one million lives of their ancestors.

The catastrophe has enormous consequences. Hitler in defence of his Final Solution of "the Jewish Problem" has been quoted as saying "Who remembers the Armenians?"

Well these descendants of the world's oldest Christian nation (AD 301) do, as the following video shows.

St Jude and St Batholomew who were martyred on their mission to Armenia will thank you too. So will St Hrpsime who refused to marry the King of Armenia (after fleeing an offer of marriage from Emperior Diocletian) and was burned alive with her virgin followers. So will St Gregory the Illuminator whose incarceration in a dungeon for a dozen years brought the conversion of the king and his nation. May God bless all Armenians, and you too.

Here is rap song about the Armenian Genocide based on a traditional Armenian tune at www.youtube.com. Warning: the video clip contains gruesome images.

PS: My Writers' Workshop is also open to scriptwriters, people who might be interested in producing videos, multi-media content, poets and songwriters. You do the work and I'll seek to act as your mentor, encourager and make suggestions as to how you can improve your work.