|
MARCH 2005 CONVENTIONAL MATTERS THE HILLS ARE ALIVE…. ¯¯¯¯Well, there was music sometimes but in the latter part of January, the hills around Pallotti College were alive with the sounds of serious discussion, enthusiastic conversations and light-hearted chatter, emanating from both large and small groups. The occasion? A convention of the UAC (Union of Catholic Apostolate, also known as the Pallottine Family), which saw seventy people gather from both Western Australia and Victoria for three days, from Sunday evening 23rd to Wednesday 26th January, to centre their energies and future plans around the theme, "Together – Bringing the Dream into Reality". On Monday morning before the convention got under way, Murrindindi, a member of the original inhabitants of the Port Phillip district, the Wurrundjeri tribe, welcomed us to his territory and gave his blessing to our enterprise. The short ceremony held at the front of the College with its spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and valleys, was both inspiring and heart-warming. Murrindindi gave a special welcome and gifts to our two Western Australian Aboriginal participants, Rose Narkle and Ben Taylor, claiming them as his "sister and brother" visitors to his tribal home. Brendan McKeague, who has been facilitator at many of our Pallottine gatherings, was again our facilitator, using the method of Open Space Technology. This technique involves participants proposing and managing their own agendas, arising from whatever they are most passionate and caring about: plenty of open space was available for interested groups of people to meet and share their thoughts and dreams on the topic of their choice. There was time allowed for six sessions in all, two on Monday afternoon and two on Tuesday morning and afternoon. And what a marvellous variety of topics there were: you could join a group discussing evangelisation at the parish level; recruitment of new members; or prayer or even UAC finances. The subject of formation attracted a large number of interested people, as did a discussion about the need to attract the 15-40 age group to an understanding of Pallotti’s charism and mission.
In between the sessions, each group’s note-taker typed up a report of the discussions, so that on Wednesday morning everyone received a folder containing reports of every conversation that had taken place. After a period of about 45 minutes for private reading and reflection, all the participants gathered again to decide what their follow-up action would be. Six groups emerged and met to plan in some detail, what actions they would take, who would be involved, where and when they would undertake their chosen work, and who else might be of assistance to them. The six areas for future action were:
As usual, the evening informal discussions over supper were re-vitalising and most enjoyable. Brendan and his team, the local UAC planning committee, provided a wonderful three days of opportunity, in the open space setting, to connect with each other while pondering and planning our future direction. The way ahead for our Pallottine Family is now ours to put in place. The real value of our convening together to bring the dream into reality will only be seen in the next months of 2005 and will be judged eventually according to how much effort we put into giving flesh to our words. After the Cenacle experience the apostles went out to spread the Good News, convert others to their great mission and together, bring the eternal Dream to fruition. We trust that we may do likewise.
A RETURN TO THE NORTH WEST…CONT. (We left Wally Sharman and Bob Doyle at Hall’s Creek. Their journey continues! ) "We travelled on to Billiluna, passing Ruby Plains homestead and Wolf Creek Crater which was created by a stalactite plunging to earth thousands of years ago, leaving this crater one mile across and about half a mile deep. Then, over many more miles of corrugated road, we reached Balgo. Fr. Matt Digges and Canadian lay missionary Zac welcomed us and after so long on the road, a shower, a nice meal, a comfortable bed refreshed us so we were ready next day to visit my old stamping ground after 30 years. The first person to meet me was John Lee, now a huge man, but whom I remember as a skinny kid. He has been working with petrol sniffers, taking them out into the bush to learn about their culture and to fend for themselves. He seems to be making real headway. I could not believe the changes in the community! A new store with take-away food, a new police station, a centrelink office, an art centre, a power house running 24 hours a day. Also, a new hospital, staffed with male and female nurses, has been built and there’s a new school, with nuns and brothers as teachers. Of particular note, no more dormitories! Another huge surprise was the beaut new airstrip---a jet could land on it, night-lights and all. On some days, there are three flights. When I was there, the airstrip was just a bare clearing, no lights with 1 flight per month. On my way to the airstrip, I called into the cemetery and discovered a lot of people whom I knew as primary school children. The average age was 40-50 years of age and many died of drink-related problems, domestic violence or petrol sniffing. Many times these are the result of unemployment (or cruel employers), loss of culture, gambling, petrol sniffing. In our time, we tried to build up trust. That has been the vision of a great team of people, ongoing. Like Sister Immaculata, Woytek Nowicki, Cheryl Sullivan, and lately Fr. Matt, Zac, many sisters and brothers. Hundreds who have been there over the years just kept trying to make life better and, looking back, I feel I can say, we did. There is still a long way to go. We did see Fr. Matt in action. There had been an accidental shooting. A 10 year old boy found a live bullet, and unknown to his father, loaded the father’s gun. He accidentally discharged it, hitting another 10 year old, killing him instantly. Fr. Matt was very helpful in his attendance at the sorry camps and services, showing deep compassion. Likewise Tossy and Gracie who arranged smoking ceremonies at the school which was very helpful for the children and the staff to understand the loss of their schoolmate. Balgo is now called Kutjunks and has three out stations---Marlarn, Kururungku and Yakka Yakka. I came back with lots of information and art prints which I hope to show to groups and individuals with a view to explaining to our next generation the unique culture of the Australian aborigines and therefore developing a better understanding of them."
Wally goes on to name a book that he believes would be of interest to anyone for whom Balgo is significant. It is ‘Balgo, New Directions’ , written by James Cowan who was art co-ordinator at Balgo and is now living in Italy. It tells of a project, started in 1985 by local artist Matthew Gill and Sister Alice Dempsey to revive the interest of the elders in their Dreaming stories so that they could be handed on to a younger generation. All had been born in the bush, raised in the traditional life style and were familiar with the ‘Dreaming stories’. They had undergone the full initiation of tribal law and knew their responsibilities as custodians of that same law. These men and women were the last generation to experience the full dimension of tribal life as it was practised before the arrival of the Europeans. In all ways, they are considered as heirs to, perhaps, the oldest unbroken tradition in the history of humanity.
Wally’s article ‘struck a chord’ with Joe Lazzarro!! Joe writes: " Thanks for the Newsletter. I was particularly interested to see that Bob Doyle is still going well. He was instrumental in so much work done in Broome and La Grange, before and after the cyclone that did so much damage. It was a period when much building went on—three new houses, a new schoolroom, a toilet block and water system. The projects were built or re-assembled at La Grange. With Fr. McKelson at the helm and Bob Bradley, Karel Wieman, Joe Schnieder, Col Arbuthnot and Bob Doyle, La Grange was transformed. Bob Doyle was the electrician but that didn’t stop him taking up a hammer or a trowel. Bob was also very interested in diesel power which came in handy at times. Br. Bob Bradley has sadly passed on and I have not been in touch with any of the others I have mentioned but they were busy, challenging and interesting times." It was good to hear from you, Joe. It sounds as if they were rewarding and satisfying and there are many people, indigenous and lay who would want to say thanks for these efforts of many years ago. Ed.
ABOUT PEOPLE. Congratulations to long time member of the Pallottine Family, Dr. Peter Pearce who received an Order of Australia medal on recent Australia Day. This was for ‘service to medicine and the community, particularly through support services for homeless people and those with alcohol or drug dependency’. Peter and his wife Jean live in Brighton and I’ve met them often at Pallotti College, Millgrove (Ed.) Congratulations also to Dorothy and John Riggs who celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage towards the end of last year. Dorothy was a member of the Pallottine Younger Set and the apostolic groups in the 50’s. She and John were foundation members of the first family groups. They lived in Elwood while bringing up their family of seven and now live active lives in Glenhuntly.
ASIAN COOKING DEMONSTRATION Come and enjoy fine food and help raise funds too!! See delicious Asian food cooked before your eyes and
get to sample the results! Bring a friend or two. Just let us know how many are coming by contacting Pat; Phone: 9459 1798, The cost is $10 per person. Bookings are essential.
Pallotti College Millgrove 80 McNamara’s Rd Phone: 03 59 662 585 Except Easter, the weekends are from Friday evening until Sunday after lunch. Easter at Pallotti. St. Vincent Pallotti, Man for our time. Mandala Group Interfaith Taize Pallottine Family Gathering Women’s Retreat Celebration of Life. Ancient Wisdom, New Directions
Casa Pallotti Millgrove The ideal campsite for your next retreat or camp Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Yarra Valley, Casa offers comfortable accommodation in a friendly and peaceful atmosphere. Casa Pallotti is run by a volunteer group of management on behalf of the Pallottine Community.
Features: Ideal for family groups, school groups. youth groups, clubs and associations and other special interest groups Catered or uncatered for groups of up to 48 Disabled facilities Meeting lounge with fireplace, large multipurpose hall, chapel Plenty of outdoor space for a range of activities and bushwalks Just 1.5 hours from Melbourne, 40 minutes from Lilydale
Contact Casa Email: enquiries@casapallotti.com.auWeb: www.casapallotti.com.au
Pallottine Scholarship Fund Entertainment Book Once again we are selling the Melbourne Entertainment Book, to raise funds for the scholarship fund, with the aim of providing assistance, where needed, towards education. Cost is $60 per book (same as last year) Your support in this worthwhile venture is very much
appreciated.
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..
EDITOR PALLOTTINE FAMILY UAC NEWSLETTER 85 Studley Park Rd Kew Vic 3101 Email: merle.gilbo@blaze.net.au past editions
December 2007 June 2007
March 2007 [ Top of Page ] |
