I wish you all a blessed Christmas. May the birth and life of Christ bring you peace, and a joy that gives you the firm determination to face life with all its uncertainties. Our world has changed. We need the peace and reconciliation that Christ brought, now more than ever. May the wonderful spirit of Christmas be in your heart throughout the coming year.

There is no Christmas without Christ. One phrase in a recent article in the Age, "Happy Christmas - whoops! holidays," claiming "multiculturalism" as the reason for doing so, saddened me. Why should Christians water down their celebrations so as not to offend. Surely, cultures are enriched by the variety of religious feasts expressive of their faith.

The birth of Jesus is our promise of re-birth. As Christian / Catholics we need to keep Jesus central to the feast of Christmas and central to our lives.

TARDUN TAKING A NEW DIRECTION

Since 1948 the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers have conducted a school and hostel for primary and secondary Aboriginal students, supported by a dedicated team of Lay Missionaries, and largely funded by the St Joseph farm (since 1928). The Primary school closed at the end of the 2003 school year. The Hostel will accept Secondary students up until the end of the 2004 school year. A consultation process in being undertaken to explore  possible new directions after 2004.
We need staff and lay volunteers who can pave the way for possible new ventures. Please pray for us, and if you have the calling to serve, contact Fr Pat (9802 8538) or Fr Ray (08 9354 4061).

Farewell to Lay Missionaries 2003: especially to Kang Lee and Kyung Lee. They took over the task of managing Tardun after Fr Ray's appointment as Regional Superior and gave dedicated service to our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. Farewell also to Daniel Bren-Clarke, and David Ryan, John and Val Dwyer, and our German lay missionaries. Thank you and God bless you all!

FR BRYAN TIERNAN has retired from full time chaplaincy to the Aboriginal Apostolate of Perth Archdiocese. Fr Bryan is a legend among the Aboriginal people in the West. He has the Irish ability to remember names and relationships over generations. For a quarter of a century he has cared for the spiritual and social needs of the Aboriginal people, a responsibility that ranged for thousands of miles from his centre and team in 5 Baker Ave, Perth. As well as weekly Mass at Embleton, ministry to the sick in hospitals, funerals, he had set up a hostel in Albany, refuges for women, a craft centre at Midland, and a detox centre at Wandering.

His mantle has passed to Fr Michael McMahon who has a great love for the Aboriginal people, and especially those in need, and in prison. Michael spent most of priestly life in Broome, was Regional Superior for 9 years, and has not stopped since. He is also chaplain to two Catholic colleges on Perth. We wish you, Michael, every success in God's work; and grateful thanks to Bryan.

Fr Eugene San completed is studies in Maynooth Dublin with flying colours and has been appointed to Kew, Melbourne. Eugene is chaplain to Emmaus College, South Vermont, and a member of the Pallottine team here. He is already making his mark.

A PALLOTTINE ASSEMBLY WITH A DIFFERENCE

The three-yearly SAC Assembly was held at Rossmoyne from September 29 - October 4, but this year we invited lay-Pallottines (UAC) from the larger Pallottine Family. It was a wonderful event tracing our history, reporting on various works, and listening to the wider concerns, aspirations and suggestions from UAC reps. At the start of the Assembly we went by bus to the MercyCare centre, followed by a visit to us from the Christian Brothers. They generously shared their partnership models, including lay recruitment, training and governance. This gave us a comparison against which to address our situation. On the second last day SAC and UAC met separately to put forward their suggestions for the way ahead.

The meeting was heartened by the news that the Council for the Laity had approved the UAC Statutes. Vincent Pallotti, in founding the Union of Catholic Apostate did not intend to begin a religious community, but to have a 'unio' of apostolic priests, religious and lay people serving the mission of Jesus entrusted to the church.

Fr Paul Manickathan, an Indian Pallottine, was appointed to the parish of Warburton / Yarra Junction just before Christmas. Paul has energy, vision, and many years of experience to bring. Our prayers and best wishes go with you, Paul. Fr Paul's place in Riverton has been taken by another Indian Pallottine, Fr Jude D'Rosario, who arrived at the time of our Assembly. It's wonderful to have our Indian confreres with us. All we need now are Australian men and women to join us and bring new life.

CAFÉ in Riverton - ALPHA in Syndal

Pallotti had as a Motto to "renew faith and re-enkindle love" as he realised the spiritual hunger among Catholics. Our parishes, Queen of Apostles, Riverton, and St Christopher's, Syndal, have sensed that same hunger, Riverton began the CAFÉ (Catholic Adult Faith Exploration) and had a wonderful result. At St Christopher's we also had a great attendance at our Alpha and Catholics Listening to God programs.

UAC COORDINATING GROUP (EASTERN AREA) met at Kew with the Regional Council on November 12th; a similar meeting was held in the West, to implement some of the resolutions of the Assembly. As these become more concrete we will share with you and get your feed-back.

Planning Meeting for the Coordinating Group: Friday 7^th - Saturday 8^th February, 2004

GREAT CHANGES TO CASA PALLOTTI.

The Casa team, through hard, dedicated volunteer work have transformed the hall, shower-toilet blocks, and Regina (the white house) kitchen, dining room and lounge. They do this in the spirit of St Vincent Pallotti. Congratulations! The place is already filling for January and into the New Year. For bookings ring Richard on his mobile: 0438931622

NEWSTART: Frs Pat & Eugene are conducting a Youth Camp and Leadership course on I9-2I January at Casa Pallotti. New Start is aimed at grades 5-7 with leaders of secondary school age and older. Contact Fr Pat on 9802 8538.

Annual Syndal Parish Picnic will be at Pallotti College, Millgrove, February 8^th

Pallotti's Feastday at Syndal, when the school gets back and settled, will be Sunday, February 15th at the I0.30 Eucharist

Men's Breakfasts at Kew and Syndal have gone very well under the Leadership of Joe Drago (Kew) and John Staunton (Syndal). Both wound up this year; at Kew with our men's breakfast/women's dinner prepared by the men: and at Syndal with a guest speaker, Dr Janet Goss, on East Timor. We take up again at Kew on the First and at Syndal on the Third Wednesday of every month. Hope to see you there!

May the Joy and Peace of the Lord Jesus, this Christmas be with you and your family,

Fr Pat

Syndal Parish Website  

Casa Pallotti Website