The Catholic Weekly 15 November 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 3 15, November, 2020 AUSTRALIA POST has re- leased its 2020 Christmas stamp collection, including two contemporary nativity scenes from artworks held in the AustralianCatholic Univer- sity Art Collection. Each year traditional Christian and secu- lar images are selected for the Christmas collection. This time the reli- gious-themed stamps will feature the art of the late Aus- trian-Australian sculptor and artist, Leopoldine Mimovich OAMwho evoked a traditional yet contemporary Australian Christmas. The scenes on the $2.20 in- ternational stamp of the Holy Family, and on the $0.65 do- mestic stamp of Mary and the baby Jesus, are beautifully ren- dered in oil paint and gold foil and feature native flora and fauna. Holy Family is pictured as being attended by native Australian animals and their young in the bush, rather than European animals in amanger. The domestic stamp shows a stately Madonna and Child amid the Australian bush, sur- rounded by an array of native fauna and colourful flora in- cluding banksia, wattle, euca- lyptus and waratah. Also included in the collec- tion are secular illustrations of a plum pudding, a Christmas stocking and festive wreath, all Christian art in university’s collection will grace Christmas postage this year ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues ACU stamps star The stamps, above, feature artworks celebrating the Christmas story which are part of ACU’s growing collection of art. with a folksy, vintage feel and adorned with native flora and fauna. Australia Post became aware of the ACU Art Collec- tion through the university’s promotion of its extensive treasury of artworks on online In brief Charity founder wins A FOUNDER of a Sydney charity based on faith in theEucharist and compas- sion for those in need has been announced a winner in the Westfield Local He- roes community awards. Since 2007 Marcel De Maria, co-founder of the Gift of Bread, has rescued thousands of surplus bread loaves and rolls every day and shares them with other charities and people in need across the city. Run entirely by volun- teers the initiative supplies bread to more than 200 sites, including refuges, boarding houses, nurs- ing homes, community groups, soup kitchens, food vans, special schools, churches and outreach programs. Mr De Maria was named one of three final- ists by visitors to Burwood Westfields and awarded $10,000 which he said would help cover costs. “Communion is not just about going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist,” he said. “For us it’s about taking the meaning of Commun- ion out into the street by living out our faith and building community with something as simple as sharing bread.” GO MAKE DISCIPLES P5 art catalogue eHive and the re- search portal TROVE. “From a curatorial perspec- tive, and through connections made, this development repre- sents an exciting outcome of a four-year project,” ACU Cura- tor, Caroline Field said. From a curatorial perspective ... this development represents an exciting outcome of a four-year project.” Caroline Field Abortion-free potential vaccine welcomed HEALTH EXPERTS and faith leaders have welcomed news that a promising COVID-19 vaccine secured by the Austral- ian Government is free from any connection to a selective abortion. Announcing data from pre- liminary findings, firms Pfizer and BioNTech said their vac- cine can prevent more than 90 per cent of people from con- tracting the disease. Helen Watt of the UK’s Ans- combe Bioethics Centre has closely followed the develop- ment of the world’s leading vaccine candidates. She confirmed that the vac- cine is foetal cell-free. “It makes no use of a foetal cell-line in the production pro- cess itself, and no use in the de- sign,” she told media. In addition, Pfizer said there have been no safety concerns raised about the 43,000 people from diverse backgrounds giv- en the vaccine. Prime Minister Scott Mor- rison announced a deal with Pfizer-BioNTech to supply 10 million doses last week. “Everyone in our health ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues and aged care community will welcome this news,” said chief executive officer of Catholic Health Australia Pat Garcia. “We must ensure the vac- cine is distributed safely and fairly and that the most vulner- able and those at the greatest risk are given priority.” “Our members will be great- ly relieved that the develop- ment of this vaccine did not transgress Catholic ethical standards. “This is really good news and we look forward to its roll out across the sector.” Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said he was “delighted” by Pfizer’s announcement. “I pray that the vaccine proves to be as safe and effec- tive as it seems,” the archbishop said. “It is particularly consoling that this vaccine was developed without using any cell-lines de- rived from an aborted child. “It demonstrates that good science and sound ethics can go hand in hand. “I call on our Common- wealth Government to obtain sufficient doses for the Aus- tralian population and for our smaller, poorer Pacific neigh- bours.” The Catholic Medical Association of Australia, rep- resenting healthcare practi- tioners across the country, welcomed the “promising de- velopments” from Pfizer. “While acknowledging the necessity of vaccines, the asso- ciation echoes calls that these should be developed using eth- ical means that respects both the dignity of human life, and the consciences of those who would benefit from them,” said spokesperson Fr Paschal Corby OFMConv. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has em- phasised that it accepts the use of an ethically compromised vaccine “if no other option is available, in order to protect lives”. Meanwhile, manufactur- ing of the Oxford University’s vaccine, which was developed using a human foetal cell line, began in Victoria last Monday, with about 30 million doses be- ing made. The Government also has a deal with the University of Queensland on another ethical vaccine it is producing in part- nershipwithAustralian biotech company CSL. Dr Sebastianus Kwon is a General and Upper GI surgeon, dedicated to delivering excellent patient care . Dr Kwon is a proud father of 5 children and committed to practising in accordance with his Catholic faith. He does No Gap Endoscopy and Known Gap Surgery. Dr Kwon's expertise include: △ Minimally invasive surgery △ Hernia repair △ Anti-reflux surgery △ Gallstone surgery △ Oesophageal & Gastric cancer △ Laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer △ Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy Operating Theatres △ Lakeview private Hospital △ Norwest private hospital △ Nepean Private hospital △ Minchinbury community hospital △ Healthwoods Endoscopy Centre Consulting Rooms △ Eastwood △ Baulkham Hills △ Penrith △ Horsley Park www.gwssurgery.com.au Urgent & TeleHealth appointments available. Ph. 1800 001 497 NEWS