A challenging reflection to end the year...
Sunday, 31st December 2006
Feast of the Holy Family

Dear friends,

I am pleased to say that we can end the year with a bang. For a long time now I have been searching for an erudite conservative commentator to challenge our thinking in the pages of Catholica Australia. Dr Andrew Kania today presents a strong and well-argued case for a conservative stance to be taken against political correctness and moral relativism. I certainly feel challenged enough by what he writes to pen a response which I will be publishing in our forum. While I believe Andrew's arguments have some merit I also believe they seriously overlook other factors going on in society, and in the Church, which also need to be argued intelligently if the Church is to move forward again in the world.

Also contributing to a strong ending to our year, you may remember the successful contribution the Catholica community made about five months ago raising money for a family in a fairly desperate plight in Armenia. A few days ago I received a further email from Dr Armen Gakavian seeking further assistance. If you would like to make a contribution I will add it to a $50 contribution we are making on behalf of Catholica to this appeal. Here is the text of Armen's email...

Dear friends,

I am writing to you, once again, on behalf of the Nersisyan family in Armenia.

To refresh your memory: In July, I invited you to contribute towards an urgent operation on Sona’s leg. The doctors had warned Sona that, if they did not operate, her DVT (deep vein thrombosis) could become fatal. Through your generosity, I was able to raise AU$800 (US$600) for Sona’s operation, and an additional AU$550 (US$400) for follow-up treatment. I used the surplus of funds for Arusik’s (Sona’s daughter’s) medical needs following an operation to remove a lump from her throat (around AU$270, or US$200).

Recently, I received an email from Hrach, Sona’s son, saying that his mother’s other leg needed operating on (cost: AU$800, or US$600). Due to the seriousness of her condition, I immediately sent the money from my own funds. Sona is now recovering and undertaking post-operational treatment.

In addition, Hrach requires ongoing treatment for his chest infection, which, thankfully, is improving. He hopes to have the infection cleared by the New Year. This treatment, however, has cost him AU$550 (US$400) over 4 months, for which he needs to pay as soon as possible.

No doubt you have received numerous requests for money from many charities and individuals this Christmas. But if you are able to help Sona and Hrach, it would be much appreciated.

As always, any amount, small or big, would be appreciated. If you would like to contribute, please let me know and we can discuss the method of payment.

I will use whatever I receive in excess of the required amount (AU$1,350 or US$1,000) to cover the costs of an operation for Gayane Hovhannisyan, my host mother in 1999 (mother of Sveta Hovhannisyan, whom some of you know).

Thanks for taking the time to read this email, and may God bless you richly this Christmas and throughout 2007.

Warm regards,

Armen agakavian@nareg.com.au

PS. The Nersisyans’s financial situation has improved a little since July. Arusik has graduated and is now working, and able to supplement her father’s income of AU$40 a month with her own salary of AU$50 a month. In addition, they continue to receive AU$130 a month in assistance. Arusik’s income makes it easier for them to cover basic expenses; however, medical bills remain well beyond their means to pay.

If you would like to send a donation to the Nersisyan family...

If you would like to make a donation to the Nersisyan family you can do so securely through PayPal by clicking the button below. Vias Tuas Communications is kicking this Catholica initiative off with a donation of $50 and any further funds received will be forwarded to Armen Gakavian for transmission to the Nersisyan family.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy and Fulfilled New Year and great blessings on your day wherever you are in Life ... and in our world.

The challenge posed by political correctness and moral relativism... Dr Andrew Kania presents a challenging reflection for us to see out the year. Partly inspired by the commentaries during the week from two of his former students, Ben and Phoebe Coyne, as well as other contemporary events, Andrew argues we need to guard against moral relativism. [more]

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher
Catholica Australia