July 2001     

A lot has happened since our last VIA Newsletter which I will write about later. But first, thank you for responding to our VIA update and your welcome donations. I hope you are well! Our lay missionaries are battling away despite being short-staffed and their generosity is wonderful, drawing its power from faith nurtured by prayer.

The feast of John the Baptist led me to thinking. John is a prophet for our church at this time. He drove in his life like a stake for the coming Kingdom of God before he was ever able to see it realised. He straddled the Old and New Testaments, preparing the way, alerting people to the One as to come and whose person held the meaning of every human heart in his unfolding life, death and resurrection. We, as church, are confronted with astronomical change, from snap-freeze foods to global networks and space travel, almost within one lifetime. We face shifts in thinking, challenges to faith, priests and people getting older. Yet the Spirit is at work in hidden, mysterious ways in individuals and groups. As we await the blossoming of the new, we need to prepare for it now by a personal turning to Christ, to becoming mystics in the everyday, sowing seeds of love, faith and hope.

In this issue I want to recount the story of the Pallottine UAC Congress. UAC is Latin for Union of Catholic or Universal Apostolate. Everyone becoming an apostle and working together on the basis of equality for the one mission of Jesus. The photos show the preparation, the process of the Congress (calling forth the passion, enthusiasm and ideas of so many), and the post-Congress developments (stepping into the future) celebrating the wins, fuelling the momentum and the commitment.

The preparation. The Congress committee of about 30 adults, young adults and young people met regularly to clarify the concept of Open Space Technology, cutting out the slogans, painting, working out the names and decor of the eight discussion areas and the Village 'Trevi Fountain' cafe. Sr Joy designed the brochure and all of us worked hard to get young life to the UAC which some said was not possible. Jenny, our resident artist at Kew suggested a complementary programme for young children and teenagers. Gerardine and Geoff Hansen also brought so much with their talents and their children.

The Process. The staff at Pallotti College were wonderful, under the leadership of Fr Paul, they had to cope with 160 people for meals, accommodation, and use of the place. Isaiah 54:2 expressed the feeling well "Make the tent you live in larger; strengthen its ropes and strengthen its pegs." People were lodged at Oak Maree, Casa Pallotti, Montserrat, as well as at the College. Pews were brought into two concentric circles for Open Space in the chapel. The meeting places were decorated, participants registered, equipped with folders and handouts and the UAC Congress began. A parallel programme "Paving the Way" for younger ones complemented the theme of the Congress "Call Forth the Future." Fr Seamus from Rome and Fr Michael from the West were with us, as well as other expressions of the Union, Mariana, families, young adults and teenagers.

The Friday night opening was led by Maureen Rath and Fr Pat representing the UAC Coordinating group. Michael and Bernadette Mclvor led the worship in song, reflection and prayer. On Saturday, the Open Space process was introduced by Brendan McKeague our facilitator. He invited participants to respond to the question, "How will the Pallottine charism and contribution live on? The Congress soon exploded into action as young and older people formed groups and worked toward implementation and concrete proposals for the next three years. Issues tackled were: youth ministry, especially at Casa Pallotti as Michael and Bernadette McIvor are journeying on after about fourteen years of great service to youth, school retreats and families. Other key areas such as, lay missionaries, formation for apostolate, the relation between UAC and SAC, maintaining Montserrat as a house of prayer, leadership for and extension of spirituality groups, family, faith among the young, aboriginal spirituality, healing and holistic ministry and parish ministry were also hotly discussed. Priorities were arrived at by consensus. The enthusiasm and energy generated by the Congress process itself was fuelled initially by the Congress committee who were a dynamic force behind the vent. Combined with the vitality of youth and the, spontaneity of the children we felt we were called into the future.

The "Conversation with Seamus" on Saturday night was capped off with hearty singalong led by the Family of God community. On Sunday, decisions were made, reports finalised, action steps for the future taken. This led to a final Eucharist celebrated by Fr Seamus.

Post-Congress development. The passions generated by the Congress has resulted in two committees - "Friends of Casa " and "Friends of Montserrat" who have been meeting regularly. Syndal parishioners are working at parish renewal in the PaIIotti spirit and caring for Lay Missionaries. The Mariana community are conducting holistic spirituality days at Pallottine community, Kew, and a workshop was also held there to clarify the UAC Statutes for the Australian context. The challenge to participants "To be apostolic" is being taken up, evident in letters received and comments shared.

Our centenary celebrations have been outstanding. The pilgrimage to Beagle Bay and various Pallottine places (organised by Mark Brolly) brought to life, for the 25 pilgrims, memories of early Pallottine beginnings and genuine hardships. Glowing reports of the pilgrimage can be read in the Pallottine Family Newsletter. People hoped that a similar pilgrimage would be offered to young people.

The 40th anniversary of Syndal parish saw 400 parishioners gather for an inspiring Eucharist followed by dinner in a marvellously decked-out hall. Paintings from the Beagle Bay community were presented to Syndal parish by Fr Eugene San, and Syndal parish reciprocated with a beautifully embroidered cloth for the Beagle Bay altar. Plaques acknowledging the original owners of this land have been put up in all Pallottine places.

Lay Missionaries. Hannah Wright from Kew is going as a house parent to Wandalgu to replace Naomi who is having a well-deserved break. It never rains but it pours. After a drought of Lay Missionaries, two couples are arriving, Ken and Lauri Rowlinson will also help with bus driving and there are two young Lay Missionaries coming in September from Germany. We wish Hannah and our Lay Missionaries every blessing and the promise of our prayers. But please keep in touch for ministry for next year.

     CELEBRATION
     100 YEARS OF
     PALLOTTINES IN
     AUSTRALIA

O consuming fire, Spirit of Love, "come upon me" and create in my soul a kind of incarnation of the World: that I may be another humanity for him in which he can renew his whole mystery.
                                   Elizabeth of the Trinity

Pallottine appointments. Fr Paul Campbell is enjoying a study time in Jerusalem and other places; a much needed breather after seven demanding years of service. I have taken Fr Paul's place at Pallotti College until Fr Dean comes mid July. Further changes are that Fr John Flynn has been appointed to Riverton parish in his home-town of Perth and I have been appointed to Syndal parish. All this will occur by the 15th July. Fr Dean will have the job of working with and for the UAC in various Pallottine places. It is an exciting time for us and we ask sincerely for your prayerful support.

Men's Breakfasts have been meeting for a number of years now at Pallottine College, Kew, on the first Wednesday of the month and at St Christopher's parish, Syndal, on the Third Wednesday of the month. The depth of sharing is the result of the close bonding that has developed amongst us. If you are looking for support and feel you are battling alone, why not come ,along. It starts at 7.00 a.m. in each place.

Michael McIvor has just released his latest collection songs on CD and audio cassette entitled "Freedom Song" which are quite moving and are beautifully recorded.

Pallottine Spirituality Groups featured strongly in the UAC Congress. There are a number of groups in E. Burwood, Forest Hill, Syndal and Kew.
Gippsland Outreach meeting at Mary Hansen's house is on Sat 7th July in the afternoon.
Prayer Guides meet at Kew on Saturday 14th July, 2.00-4.00 and there will be a Prayer Guides Training Day on Sat 11th of August from 10.00 - 4.00

Fund-raising activities are beginning for Casa Pallotti so that the wonderful work of Michael and Bernadette McIvor can continue for youth and families. We are keen to run functions and find new avenues for funding. We would appreciate your ideas. If you are interested in making a donation, Gerard Pidoto, is the chair of the fund-raising sub-committee of the " Friends of Casa Pallotti." His address is 5 Loddon Court, North Croydon, 3136. Tel. 9725 2228.
A working Bee at Casa Pallotti is scheduled by the maintenance committee (Davin Pidoto and Lauri Hilakari) for Saturday, 18th August, 10.00 a.m. start until 5.00 p.m. There's painting, fixing doors, plumbing, concreting and lawn-mowing to be done. Please bring your tools and your enthusiasm and we'll get a lot accomplished.
The interim committee is meeting at Pallottine Community, Kew at 5.00 pm, Saturday, July 7th, and working toward a concrete proposal to the Pallottine Regional Council regarding the future use of Casa Pallotti.

My grateful thanks to so many people who made the Congress, the Pilgrimage, the various parish anniversaries so memorable.
May God bless you in your loving apostolic activities.
Fr. Pat