The Catholic Weekly 27 June 2021

$2 27, June, 2021 WE SAW HER! WWI SOLDIERS’ LETTERS REVEAL APPARITIONS OF ST THÉRÈSE P24 Pro-Life grant on offer again THE CATHOLIC Archdiocese of Sydney is inviting medical researchers to apply for a $100,000 grant to support ethical research in Australia at the service of human life. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said the grant, the tenth offered by the archdiocese since 2003, is aimed at supporting innovative researchwhich respects Catholicmoral teach- ings. “We are committed to a culture of life, in- cluding scientific research that respects hu- man life from conception until natural death,” he said. “At a time when many state parliaments haveimplementedlawsthatattackthesanctity of life through abortion or euthanasia, and the feder- al parliament is considering laws to allow the creation of babies with three genet- ic parents, these research grants are more impor- tant than ever to advance responsible medical re- search which respects the dignity of human life”. Previously the archdiocesan grant could only be used for research involving the thera- peutic use of adult stemcells. This year it has been extended to other pro- life medical research including investigating medical approaches to assisting infertile cou- ples, medical treatments conducted on babies in-utero, and palliative care treatments at all stages of lifewitha focus onpainmanagement. The 2015 recipient, Professor Nick Di Giro- lamo from the School of Medical Sciences at theUniversity of NSW, said the Archdiocese of Sydney grant has been pivotal to his work to- wards treating and potentially curing corneal disease that can cause blindness. “To date we have located stem cells in the mouse cornea and we are beginning to vali- date our findings in adult hu man donor cor- neas which is very encourag ing”, Professor Di Girolamo said. CONTINUEDONPAGE13 ¾ Staff Writers These research grants are more impor- tant than ever to advance responsible medi- cal research which respects the dignity of human life.” Archbishop Fisher OP Grandparents: bringingwisdom, experienceand love tochildren’s lives PARENTING IS a challeng- ing gig, but it’s certainly made easier with supportive grandparents, says Marthe Azzi. The Sydney mum says that she and her “awesome husband” Charlie consider themselves blessed that both sets of grandparents are will- ing and able to regularly help with the care of their daugh- ters, two-year-old Emilia and six-month-old Natalie. Marthe, a doctor, is currently working towards a PhD while Charlie is a busy graphic de- signer with the archdiocese’s Sydney Centre for Evangeli- sation. Their parents, Henri and Afife Chehade and Marie and Wadih Azzi (both ‘Tata and Jedo’ to their grandchildren), are not only often involved in Emilia and Natalie’s daily life but also pass on many of the faith traditions and wisdom that underpins the loving ex- tended family. “They pray with the girls and teach them many of the beautiful rituals of our Ma- ronite Catholic tradition. “We are so fortunate that they are able to care for our girls when Charlie and I are both at work. “I know that many grand- parents would love to do the same but circumstances don’t allow them to. “But for us it’s a great priv- ilege, it gives our children the opportunity to develop their own relationship with their grandparents independent to us. “It also brings us closer to our parents and in-laws too.” I’m very aware I’m very blessed and not everyone has the same support in the challenging work of parent- ing. CONTINUED PAGE 7 ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Be a Neighbour to those in need Become a Regular Giver Today Call Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413 or visit caritas.org.au/neighbours Anthony Khoury (Jedu) and grandson Antoni Tadeusz Czeczotko enjoy an outing on a Sydney winter’s day. A Mass for grandparents and the elderly will be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral on 24 July. PHOTO: GIOVANNI PORTELLI