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December 2004
It’s an age old wish
THE XIX GENERAL ASSEMBLY This six yearly gathering of representatives of Pallottine priest and brothers from all parts of the world was held in Rome from 21st September until the 21st October. Frs. Ray Hevern (provincial) and Eugene San represented Australia. It was a time for revisiting the vision of their founder, St. Vincent Pallotti and discerning, in the power of the Holy Spirit, what the Pallottine Family is being called to be and to do in this 21st century – for the church and the world.
The General Council, to work with and support Fr. Kretz consists of Zenon Hanas (Poland), Francesco Todisco (Italy), Jacob Nampudakam (India - English speaking councillor), Gilberto Orsolin (Argentina).
A RETURN TO THE NORTH WEST. It was at the reunion at Pallotti College in September that I ( Merle) met up with Wally Sharman and was intrigued to hear the story of his visit to the Kimberley where he had worked 30 years ago. It seems Bob Doyle, a former Lay missionary and now living in Djarindjin, via Broome, had visited Wally and his wife Gabrielle at their Mornington home and Wally was inspired to accept Bob’s invitation to ‘come north next year’. Wally kept an interesting and thoughtful account of his trip. Thanks, Wally, we’re glad to reproduce some of your story this time, more later. In Wally’s words. "July 2003. I flew from Melbourne to Broome, non stop, and met Bob at the airport. From the time the plane landed, I said to myself: ‘This is my country.’ After being away for 30 years, it was like coming home. We had a quick look around the town and met lots of indigenous people in the parks and reserves - some remembered me." Next day, we were on the road to Balgo in Bob’s 20-year-old land cruiser with a trailer attached. This would be our home for the next two weeks. First stop, Fitzroy Crossing which I remembered as a real mess - not so now. I met Joe Ross, an ex-student from Rossmoyne who is managing a local job and self employment agency for the local indigenous people seeking work in tourism small business and aged care. Geige Gorge tours give them employment and pride in the work. I met an ex Tardun student, who works at the Aged care centre and whose sister is married to Barry, a Tardun teacher in 1967. The town was looking very good, better roads, clean streets, I was very impressed by the Geige Gorge and the 15 year old Fitzroy Crossing bridge. On to Halls Creek, to the local ‘watering hole’, the ‘pub’. When I said I was ex-Bro. Wally, they started to hug me. Some ran to the camp, others came running shouting: ‘You are one of us. You don’t forget us.’ I must have met 60 people from Balgo, in the camp and the reserves around Halls Creek. It gave a real sense of coming home but there was a feeling of despair among the people, due to the lack of work. On the stations and missions, they had been in their soul country and lived and hunted in the traditional way. I am sure they miss this. The referendum of 1967, which brought equal rights, was good in itself but most station owners could not afford to pay them the same wage as white stockmen. Stations with as many as 5000 aborigines living on them had no option but to send them away,. They then went to the nearest towns. Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, Wyndham creating big social problems. I reflected, at this time on the early work of the Pallottine Brothers and Priests. Names like Bros. Joseph Schuengel and Joseph Kroen, Frank Nissl, Stephen Contempre, Frs. Alphonse, Francis Huegel, Bishop Raible and many others. These old missionaries: May they rest in peace. To be continued.
We acknowledge, with gratitude, permission to reprint news from Kimberley Community Profile (KPC) FORTY FAITHFUL YEARS. Thanks to Kimberley Community Profile for permission to quote from their report on the retirement of Fr. Wendelin Lorenz as parish priest of Derby. After 35 years as parish priest and nearly 40 years in the Kimberley, Fr. Wendelin was fare welled in style!! The celebrations began with a packed church for the Mass of Thanksgiving, Bishop Saunders presiding 15 priests, a Derby record, concelebrated. They included two Pallottines — the provincial, Fr. Ray Hevern and classmate, Fr. Joe Butscher. Bishop Saunders praised Fr. Wendelin dedication and resoluteness, his life synonymous with service to all people. The reception which followed was alive with stories – a sad but joyous night. Fr. Wendelin received many gifts by which he will remember the people of Derby - an icon of the Trinity, a lapel cross, handcrafted in Broome, a colourful quilt and a wallet well filled with the generous offerings of the Derby community. We add our good wishes to all that Fr. Wendelin has received - that this time of retirement will be peaceful, fulfilling, even challenging
More congratulations!! Unless the ‘grapevine’ is working very well we don’t always hear about significant anniversaries. However, we do know that Frs. Pat Jackson and John Winson have reached the 40th anniversary of their ordination during 2004 and Dorothy and Gordon Torney, the 40th anniversary of their marriage. Dorothy and Gordon met when they were members of the Pallottine Younger Set in which group they were actively involved for a number of years. Yes, Congratulations!!!
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS As we all know from experience, for any event to be successful, it must involve everyone in a sensitive and dynamic process. This is so true for the Congress. We want its celebration to be a true expression of the commitment, aspirations and inspirations that are common to all parts of the Union. A lady from the UAC in Poland suggested that we strive to be really united in prayer for the nine months leading up to the Congress by a Novena. A simple format was prepared and themes offered for each month. Let us, in our own way, tune in with these themes:
We can also join in this Prayer for the General Congress. Almighty God, Source of all life,
CHRISTMAS EVE 2004 .Wherever you live, whoever you are, please know that, if you wish, you are most welcome to be part of Mass on Christmas Eve 8.30 pm at 85 Studley Park Rd. Kew or at Pallotti College, Millgrove.
PALLOTTINE FAMILY 23 - 26 January Millgrove. TOGETHER – bringing the dream into reality We look forward with high expectation to the UAC (Pallottine Family) convention scheduled to take place at Pallotti College Millgrove from after tea on Sunday evening 23rd January to midday on the following Wednesday, January 26th. Members of the UAC from West Australia will be joining us "Easterners" to assess our current Pallottine Family status and action and together develop a strategic plan for our growth over the next few years. A planning sub-committee has been working in conjunction with the priests and brothers for several months now, at meetings in Kew, Millgrove and Perth. Brendan McKeague will again act as our facilitator. The convention will be a great opportunity to re-connect with each other and together search out the way ahead. We hope a good number of people inspired by Pallotti and his dream of a universal apostolate come up to the mountain once more. Bookings can be made by a deposit of $50 to the Bursar, Pallotti College Box 838 Millgrove 3799. The total cost is $150 and concession $100. COME AND SHARE Pallotti’s dream and help us bring it into reality.
Irene Munsey a member of the Mariana Community .
Mariana women, inspired by the discipleship of Mary, Pallotti and others, live lives of love in and for the world — acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God, and responding to the call to transform all creation.
TAIZE PRAYER AT KEW. On the first Fridays of the month at 85 Studley Park Rd. 8pm - 9pm. A simple way for a little time of reflection, after a busy week, in the atmosphere of the beautiful music of Taize. Next Prayer Night: first Friday in February 2005.
EDITOR PALLOTTINE FAMILY UAC NEWSLETTER 85 Studley Park Rd Kew Vic 3101 Email: merle.gilbo@blaze.net.au past editions
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Happy, Blessed
Christmas!! 
An early, important decision was the election of the
new Rector General, to follow Fr. Seamus Freeman who has held this
position for 12 years. On 7th October, 2004, Fr. Fritz Kretz
was elected for six years, 2004-2010. Fr. Kretz was born in Germany in
1952 and ordained priest in 1981. He worked in a boarding school for boys
in Bruchsal and later as parish priest in Stuttgart. From 1990-1996, he
served as Director of Preparatory Formation at Untermerzbach and from
1996, he has been the Provincial Rector of the Sacred Heart (South German)
Province . 
In our
September issue we told of the Irene’s life, death and funeral and
mentioned that she was a member of the Mariana community. This seems a
good time to talk about the way of life and vision of this community.
Mariana had its origins in the apostolic groups in Kew in the 50’s and the
first members began their training in 1957 at ‘Regina Apostolorum’ now
Casa Pallotti, Millgrove. Since that time, they have been a group that has
developed an understanding of what it is to live as single, consecrated
women in the Church and in society. They support each other through prayer
life, liturgical celebrations of particular feasts and other gatherings.
Individually, members are responsible for their own finances, employment,
living arrangements, and retirement. They follow a range of occupations,
endeavouring to witness to the love of God in all spheres of life.
Currently, there are members in three states, most, because of the origin,
in Melbourne. The formation time is followed by a Consecration ceremony at
which the member pledges to live, loving God and others with the help of
the promises of chastity, poverty and obedience according to the Mariana
way of life. The giftedness of the individual influences the way each
member takes responsibility for putting this commitment into practice.
Irene had joined the community 42 years ago and had been a faithful,
committed member. At the time of her death, two members were with her,
praying the community prayer. The way of life is expressed in the Spirit
Statement: