|
December 2007 ADVENT and CHRISTMAS.
Our Father, St.
Vincent, gave to all of us the image of ‘The Cenacle ‘as the inspiring
powerhouse of our apostolic life. This should be a continual reminder
that out vocation is to become contemplative apostles. There should be
no disjunction, no hiatus between our prayer life and our apostolic
life. In the light of this reality it occurred to me that it might be helpful for us to reflect on the thoughts of Fr. John Dupuche. In a book he wrote in 2005, Jesus the Mantra of God, he has some beautiful reflections on Advent and Christmas. He suggests that in Advent the meditator could remind herself/himself that Joseph set out on a journey from Galilee to Bethlehem. There was a departure. It was a leaving behind of all that is familiar to go to a place that is unknown. Yet, for Joseph, this journey was a homecoming for he is of the house and the line of David. For us who are trying to live in the Spirit, this journey is not a one time thing. It happens every time we enter into meditation. We have to ‘leave our boats behind’ each time we make this journey into prayer. But it is also a homecoming for us because we return to the place of true belonging, to the ‘cave of the heart’. In meditation, we step into the unknown and leave all behind. So it was with Joseph and Mary on the journey to Bethlehem. When the Word of God is born, God becomes manifest. So also, in our meditation, when everything has been stripped away, the inner self becomes evident. Mary wraps the baby in swaddling clothes and lays him in an eating trough because he is food for all humanity. The mantra we recite when meditating is the source of spiritual food. The birth of Jesus was good news for all. This good news is a great joy for all the shepherds, for everyone. So also the tranquility and peace which meditation brings. Good news and great joy to all of us. We are all taken up into the joy and the wonder of the Word made flesh. Roger McGinley SAC
CONGRATULATIONS, FATHER SEAMUS!
“I want to share news of great joy . On 14th September, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, nominated Fr. Seamus Freeman SAC as Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory, Ireland, Fr. Seamus’ native diocese. Fr. Seamus was born in Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary on 23rd February 1944. He entered the minor seminary in Thurles in 1958, made his first Profession on 12th September 1965 and was ordained to the priesthood on 12th June 1971. Following his ordination, he became personal secretary to the rector general of the Society, Fr. Nicholas Gorman SAC and he studied psychology at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C from 1973 to 1975.Returning to Rome, he was Rector of the Church of San Silvestro in Capite from 1975 until 1981. Back in Ireland, he became Rector of the House of Formation in Thurles. At the 1983 General Assembly, he was elected General Consultor, was re-elected at the 1989 Assembly at which stage he became Vicar-General of the Society. The 1992 Assembly saw him elected as Rector General, to which post he was re-elected in 1998. His dedication to the Union of the Catholic Apostolate is well known, as is his insight into the charism entrusted by God to St. Vincent Pallotti and its role in the life of the Church. At the first general Council of the UAC, held at the St. Vincent Pallotti Spirituality Centre, Grottoferrata, in December 2005, he was elected as a member of the General Co-ordination Council of the Union. When the entire Council met in May 2006, he was elected president of the UAC. And now to Ossory.!! May this new apostolate, in his native land lead to abundant fruit in the Church of Christ. BEST WISHES FOR YOUR MINISTRY IN OSSORY, BISHOP SEAMUS!.
Rest in peace, Brunhilde Nissl. We had hoped to present a series of ‘Pallottine Personalities’ in this publication. The first one on our list was Brunhilde Nissl who had been a well-known member of the Pallottine family in Melbourne for many years. However, the Lord had other plans and called her to eternal life before we carried out that interview. Her son Michael responded promptly and generously when I phoned to ask about his mother’s long life.
He told me that she
was born Brunhilde Baer, in Southern Germany near the Black Forrest,
on 6th December 1917.She came to Australia in 1949 at the invitation
of her uncle, Bishop Otto Raible, Vicar Apostolic of Kimberley and
worked at Beagle Bay. After some years, she came to Melbourne
and began a nursing career at Mt. St. Evins. After Brunhilde left
Beagle Bay, another young German arrived there. He came at the
invitation of an uncle also, this time Br. Frank Nissl for whom his
nephew was named. After some time, ‘Young’ Frank came to Melbourne
and followed his uncle’s suggestion that he might like to meet
the young woman who preceded him at Beagle Bay. He liked what he saw
and Fr. Walter Silvester married them in 1955 and later baptized
their only child, Michael. Brunhilde was in all ways very hospitable, a real homemaker and very gifted at all manner of craft. She contributed many lovely items to the fetes at Kew over the years and even this year, continuing this activity until very close to the end of her long life. Last May she was one of the people who joined in a gathering when Fr. General—Fr. Kretz —was here and her photograph appeared with his in our June newsletter. It was so appropriate that they should meet because her Pallottine roots go way back so far. Brunhilde died on 28th September and her life was celebrated with Mass at St. Christopher’s Camberwell on 4th October. Perhaps some of our readers remember Br. Frank Nissl who lived at Millgrove for some time and for whom the Nissl Wing is named. And I, as a member of the Apostolic groups at Kew in the 50’s, was invited to the Nissl home. It was my first experience of German music and food and hospitality and has remained with me as an altogether wonderful experience . Merle.
REUNION AT KEW On Saturday 14th November, after the footy and the races were over, thirty members of our Pallottine family enjoyed Eugene and Wolfgang’s sausage sizzle in our version of Kew Gardens. It was great to catch up with friends and to relax together, chat about present and past events, continue yarning over a cuppa in the Pallotti room, and hear about future plans and ideas.
If you couldn’t get there this year, don’t worry - you can try again next year. The time spent together was so enjoyable that we voted it an annual event! Watch these columns to dates and times. See you then.
WALTER SILVESTER MEMORIAL LECTURE Last year the planning for the first Walter Silvester Memorial Lecture was done by Pat Heywood, with the backing of the Kew Spirituality Team, and the approval of both national and local councils. For future planning and execution of these lectures, a specific committee has been established, membership consisting of Fr. Dean Bradbury (SAC representative), Pat Heywood (Coordinator), Anne Dowling (Mariana Community representative), Mark Brolly, Janet Farrow and Sharne Rolfe. This committee met for the first time in October this year, to consider moves already made towards inviting a speaker for 2008, and to discuss the most suitable venue, the timing, costs, future advertising and invitations, and other important matters Earlier this year, during the General Assembly in Rome in May, Fr. Ray and Cheryl approached Fr. Seamus Freeman, the President of the worldwide UAC, about the possibility of his being our speaker for next year, while he was here in connection with the closing of the Mariana Community’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. However since that time the Holy See has appointed Seamus as Bishop of the See of Ossary, which covers Kilkenny in Ireland. The installation of the new Bishop will take place on 2nd December, and though Seamus has indicated that he will probably still be able to come, we must wait for his definite answer. Meantime we are in the process of visiting possible venues and enquiring about costs. The committee wants the lectures to be free to the public, and for refreshments to be served at some stage of the proceedings. However donations are acceptable, if the taxation department was kind to anyone this year, and we will let you know more news when we can. Pat Heywood.
NEWS FROM THE WEST. Fr. Bryan Tiernan leads the news this time and, after Fr. Ray, is currently the most ‘moving’ of our Western Australian family. He tells us about his activities to date as well as his plans for December.
Recently, I’ve returned from administering Bidyadanga (formerly La Grange) which has a population of 850 and a school attendance – pre-primary to high school of 140. It had changed significantly from when I knew it in 1965. It has paved and kerbed roads; a fine church; a large store; a ‘take away’ shop, Post Office; Police Station and Courthouse; a Clinic with 6 nurses (3 men and 3 women); Centrelink; a large Shire Office. Overall, 35 non-aboriginal people are employed there. There was Mass every day and scripture lessons for the various school classes. Returning to Perth, I took up the administration of a parish at Kalamunda. On the 4th December, I leave for India to attend the Congress of Pallottine Mission Secretaries at Madurai from 8th to 16th December. Thirty attendees are listed. During the Congress, we will have appointed times to give our prepared reports. After the Congress, I go to Bangalore from where a number of vocations came some years ago —at a time when there were no Pallottine houses in the South of India. From Bangalore, I leave on 23rd December for Pune (formerly Poona and near Mumbai) where the Khristsevikas have their house The Khristsevikas are a Secular Institute of women that I initiated in 1957 while I was in Raipur. The members of the Institute always come together over the Christmas and New Year period from the places where they work and live. During this time, I will give a Retreat, followed by a discussion of UAC vis a vis the Khristsevikas and the Spirituality of Pallotti. Before I leave, there will be a revision of their Constitution and Rule of Life. I leave Pune on the 3rd January for Chennai (formerly Madras) where I link up with a flight to Perth on 4th January. I have already accepted invitations to administer several parishes on my return to Perth.
A SABBATICAL IN VICTORIA Fr. Joe Kearney. Every 10 years I have gone away to have a renewal course.. The first was at St. Peter’s in Canberra, then on 1997 at Baulkham Hills near Sydney. So last year, I began looking around for a place to go in 2007. Bishop David Walker had planned one in Randwick. However, there were not enough takers, so that was cancelled. A priest in New Zealand was offering another course. There were not enough takers for that either, so it was cancelled. Looking further, I decided to enquire at the Yarra Theological Union to see what they had to offer. Some have asked why I chose that institute. There were several reasons. I had pleasant connections with these people over a number of years. I also thought that this was the place where they were pushing the boundaries of, let’s call it, ecclesiastical thought in a good positive way. I called there, met the present staff and decided to do two units in Social Justice and two in Religion and Culture. I considered that these were really relevant today. I was only auditing the course. That means I was not doing exams or assignments . It was a matter of listening to the lecturers and joining in the discussions with the members of the class. The whole proved to be very interesting. Bruce Duncan CSSR is a true guru on Social Justice. The other leaders were also very good and the excellent library attached to St. Paschal’s was available. During my studies at YTU, I was offered accommodation with the Divine Word Missionaries. This also proved enlightening. There were 24 members of the community, of which only one was born in Australia. He was the only one who had English as his first language. So the experience was quite an opening to other cultures. The men came from Holland, Italy, Poland, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, the Solomon Islands etc. My year had begun with our Pallottine Regional Assembly at Pallotti College, Millgrove. The few weeks in between, before the scholastic year began, I spent catching up with my family and friends in Melbourne must add that at this time Bill Henderson approached me regarding the possibility of a supply in the Sandhurst diocese. I took up that offer after the course at YTU. So part of July and through August and September, I spent another pleasant period celebrating Mass and the other sacraments in the Bendigo and Shepparton areas. Finally, after nine months away on my 'sabbatical’ I call it, I returned to Rossmoyne and am happily settled again with my own community.
BLESSING OF EDITH LITTLE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
Healthy recreation and entertainment are very appropriate in the lives of people after hard work and especially when living in a retirement village. Southern Cross Care made provision for that when the Margaret Hubery Village was established. I am happy now to bless the Edith Little Community Centre. How it came t be called ‘Edith Little’ I will mention after the blessing prayer. Let us ask God to bless this Edith Little Community Centre:
LOVING FATHER, WE
PRAISE YOU FOR YOUR GLORY. Edith Little was a young Aboriginal woman who came to Rossmoyne from the Tardun Mission.; first as a housekeeper at the Pallottine Mission Centre, 5th Ave. and then to be in charge of the Aboriginal girls and boys who came to Perth and boarded at the Centre so they could attend high schools in Perth to continue their education. I was the Mission Superior at that time and saw that Edith looked after the students with great love and care. She died suddenly in 1975 after an operation. At her funeral she called a remarkable lady. When the boarding house was closed down, the Knights of the Southern Cross acquired property—buildings and land from the Pallottines. When the time came to establish the Margaret Hubery Village, I approached the administration of the Knights and requested that Edith’s memory be kept alive in some way. Here we are today at the Edith Little Community Centre. I’ve brought along a photo of Edith which will be hung in the centre which carries her name. Now I will bless this picture.
HOLY FATHER, LOVE OF
ALL YOUR PEOPLE, BLESS + THIS IMAGE OF EDITH LITTLE.
MORE NEWS FROM THE WEST Brother Barry Hall has made an amazing recovery from his recent illness and is back at work at the spruced up office at Rossmoyne. He would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to all who prayed for him, sent him messages and cards and visited him in hospital . So thank you everyone. We are all most grateful for Barry’s recovery. Carmen Madden, one of the managers at Epiphany Retreat Centre, is on the mend after a hip replacement operation. All the best, Carmen. Recently, Fr. Kevin McKelson made a quick visit to Melbourne to catch up with family members. It was good to see him and be able to introduce him to the UAC Secretariat office at Kew. Kevin was able to fill us in on some of the history of the building and relate a few stories from the past. The Formation Group in Rossmoyne will celebrate the year’s end with a special Eucharist and supper afterwards, on Tuesday, 11th December. More people are gradually joining in the group’s discussions and activities, with Fr. Joe Butscher as mentor.
WYD Pallottine Youth Encounter
James Cheong In case you haven't heard, Pope Benedict XVI is coming down to Sydney, Australia in July next year for World Youth Day (WYD)!!! It is the largest youth event in the world and it will be happening in our own backyard! Australians will experience a renewal in their faith on a scale never seen before!
Here at St.
Christopher's, Syndal, preparations are well underway as we aim to host
around 150 pilgrims in our parish journeying up together to Sydney. Our
group of hardworking parish volunteers and youths have met regularly
throughout the year to plan for this huge event. Currently, we are
organising a Pallottine themed youth event (Pallottine Youth Encounter,
PYE) that will run over 5 days at Millgrove. We will share our Catholic
faith and introduce our overseas pilgrims to our rich Australian
culture, all in the spirit of St. Vincent Pallotti
Highlights will include daily Mass, confession, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as a visit to Healesville Sanctuary and a ride on Puffing Billy. Come and join the youths from around the world to celebrate and learn more about our Catholic faith! At the moment, we are seeking more volunteers to help us, particularly nurses or anyone with first aid certification. To get involved, please contact Fr. Pat at 9802 8538 or visit our web page at http://www.syndalcatholic.org.au/wyd08/ It is never too late to make a commitment and say “YES” to God. We hope to see you at PYE and WYD!
UAC SCHOLARSHIP FOR LAY MINISTRY One of the resolutions stemming from the SAC Assembly held in Perth in October 2003 concerned the establishment of a UAC scholarship for lay people, to assist them in study in theological and pastoral courses. A great deal of work has been undertaken since the beginning of 2004 to the end of 2006, the major work in that period being to organise the legal requirements, i.e. set up a Trust Deed to cover all contingencies needed for the scholarship. This year a sub-committee investigated the practical implications for the award, looking at and researching such things as membership of the Scholarship Committee, methods of advertising, the means of making awards and which study areas are relevant for our purposes. According to the terms of the Trust Deed, the Scholarship Committee should comprise both the President and the Treasurer of the National Council, and three other members, someone from the UAC already experienced in pastoral work, and two others skilled in education and learning experiences. Acting on the recommendations of the sub-committee, the National Council invited Anita Ferguson, Sue O’Connell and Mick Martin to join Fr. Ray Hevern (President) and Cheryl Sullivan (Treasurer) as members of the new Scholarship Committee. Pat Heywood, as Executive Officer, is also a member, and acts as administrative secretary. At present, this Committee is actively engaged in decision making and further planning, examining issues such as the number of awards, the kinds of studies and/or experiences that are relevant, the drafting of application forms and the most suitable means of advertising. It has been decided that there will be a change of name, and now the awards will be called both scholarships and study grants, to take into account the variety of studies and experiences available to intending applicants. Further information will be presented to all our Pallottine family in the next edition of this newsletter in 2008. Pat Heywood
REAL PEOPLE. The average woman. If you’re a reader of the Melbourne ‘Age’, you might have noticed an article on 28th June about Mary Malone. She was featured because her ‘statistics’ make her the typical Australian woman, according to the latest census. Australia, in all its diversity, does defy stereotypes but if the census data is reduced to the simplest of models, the median age of all Australians is 37 and that person is a woman. This average woman has a husband and has given birth to two children. She is from Anglo-Celtic background and is, at least nominally, Christian —most likely Catholic. This ‘average’ woman is much more real if she can be put in context.
We are most grateful to
Fr. Kevin McKelson for telling us that Mary Malone is his niece. A young German visitor. One of the many interesting aspects of Pallotti College is the range of people who find their way there. Some come as visitors,-alone or part of a group, some come to lend a hand in a number of capacities and I’ve had many an interesting conversation with people I would have met there Recently I went to lend a hand on a ‘Q’ i.e. Quick day ---a day when a big group is going out and another is coming in. In other words a ‘quick’ turn around is needed to make many rooms ready and welcoming. On that occasion, I met a newcomer to the team, a young German man, and putting on my ‘newsletter’ hat, on the alert for someone with a different story, I introduced myself to Oliver (Barnstedt). Fortunately, (for me) he had learnt English since he was 11 and is very fluent indeed. Born in Tubingen in the southern part of Germany, he has recently completed his secondary schooling and while waiting to begin University studies—probably for the degree of Bachelor of Biology----he will spend a ‘Gap’ year in Australia –part at Pallotti College, part in the Diocese of Sandhurst. The connection with Australia was through Stefan Hartman, manager of German Pallottine Volunteer Services who arranges overseas opportunities for work of a social service nature for young people, as an alternative to military training. Oliver had met some people who had worked in USA, in South America, in Africa. There were four openings to come to Australia this year . Oliver’s three peers are working in L’Arche communities in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. He is hoping to meet the others at World Youth Day in Sydney next year and maybe travel further north. He has a particular interest in the course in Marine Biology offered at James Cook University, Townsville . Oliver expressed a great interest in learning about other cultures, meeting and sharing life with people from many different backgrounds. Although he hadn’t, at that stage, moved far away from Millgrove, he had experienced something of multi-cultural Australia. Anne, the wonderful cook, is from Indonesia. Margaret and Aloysius San (parents of Fr. Eugene), with their daughter Eileen and grandson Peter, are real stalwarts of the team. The San family had migrated from Burma when Eugene and Eileen were children. We hope/ we know that Oliver will enjoy what Australia has to offer in its natural beauty and its variety of people and we thank him for his contribution to the life of Pallotti College. Merl
NEWS FROM MILLGROVE This year has again been a very busy one for the team and ‘weekenders’ at Pallotti College, Millgrove, who, continue to care for us and all the College visitors with cheerful, dedicated and tireless service. On Sunday 9th December a special get-together-cum-BBQ to say thank you to them, will be held at the College, and we hope that the sun shines on the gathering in every possible way. From the rest of us, West and East, who appreciate the efforts of all at Pallotti College, and don’t get much chance to say a heartfelt thank you, may we take this opportunity now to do just that – THANK YOU PALLOTTI COLLEGE TEAM AND WEEKENDERS, bless you for all that you contribute to our UAC and to the realisation of Pallotti’s vision. Pat Heywood
Caritas Christi Urget Nos Have you obtained a copy of this special little book with its collection of diverse sayings and inspirational thoughts of St. Vincent Pallotti? If not, you can pick it up for a tiny $5 at Kew, Syndal or Millgrove in the East or Rossmoyne or Riverton in the West. If you can’t manage any of these options, you’re welcome to order by mail. Send a self-addressed manila (9B) envelope, with a 50 cent stamp to: The UAC Secretariat: 85 Studley Park Rd. Kew Vic 3101 OR Pallotti College, P.O. Box 838, Millgrove Vic 3799 In either case, if you’re using a cheque, make it out to Pallottine Community, Millgrove.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Our Best Wishes to
You and Your Families for a
EDITOR PALLOTTINE FAMILY UAC NEWSLETTER 85 Studley Park Rd Kew Vic 3101 Email: merle.gilbo@blaze.net.au past editions December 2006 September 2006 June 2006 March 2006 December 2005 September 2005 June 2005 March 2005 December 2004 September 2004 June 2004 March 2004 December 2003 October 2003 June 2003 March 2003 Extracts from 2000 - 2002 |
||||||||
Fr. Jeremiah
(Derry) Murphy, the Secretary- General of the UAC writes:
