Describing recents events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a "massacre of the poor", Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi called for world support to end the violence and assist refugees.

David and Samantha Meyn of East Maitland have gained wisdom beyond their years after losing their son Harrison, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 6, in July 2006. Oscar, now 7 and Campbell, 3, speak often of their older brother and love to draw attention to the photos displayed at home. - Tracey Edstein, Aurora

Fr Stan Fortuna is a Catholic priest and a founding member of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, an order established in the heart of the South Bronx in 1987. But he is also a musician known worldwide as "the rapping priest". Even after 20 years it's not a title he's totally comfortable with.

2008 has been a year of potentially historic breakthroughs between Anglican Christians and the Chair of Peter. Many Catholics have noted with great interest the growing number of Anglicans who have approached the possibility of coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. - Deacon Keith Fournier, Catholic Online

Centacare warns low-income families on credit card trap


The overuse of credit cards at Christmas will drive low to middle income families to financial ruin, according to Centacare Sydney financial counsellor David Bell.

The Catholic Weekly reports that he also warned consumers to avoid using credit cards at all costs.

"People fall into the trap of signing up for three or four credit cards at Christmas without realising the significant impact it can have on their lives," he told the paper. "It’s easy to fall into the trap of living for today, but that mentality can have dire consequences, especially at Christmas.

"Credit card debts of around $3000 are often accumulated over Christmas, which can take four to five years to pay off," he said. "People should budget for Christmas all-year round, not just at Christmas."

Mr Bell added: "I see people around February and March, who haven’t paid their rent or electricity due to overspending at Christmas.

"Society puts pressure on people to perform for their families at Christmas, but I don’t think children are so materialistic that they don’t understand they can’t have every toy."

Retailers are preparing to divvy up to $33 billion in sales between them in November and December, a figure Mr Bell finds disturbing.

"I don’t think spending $33 billion in stores is the true meaning of Christmas," he says. "Giving and receiving presents is nice, but people should concentrate more on the faith side of things, rather than being caught up in the spending hype."

The Weekly says that St Vincent de Paul Society budget counsellors each see more than 600 people a year who have racked up a Christmas debt.

"Christmas brings out a lot of tension in families with no money, and problems such as domestic violence increase, which adds to the situation," said budget counsellor Sheila Kinsella. "Disadvantaged families on low income or Centrelink payments hate the thought that their children won’t get the presents they want, so they spend what they can’t afford.

SOURCE
‘Risk of financial ruin in credit card overuse’ (Catholic Weekly 5/12/04)

LINKS
Centacare Sydney
Vinnies

ARCHIVE
Needy hit by Christmas credit card crisis (Catholic Weekly 9/2/04)


3 Dec 2004