October 2001     
Dear Volunteers in Action

The shock and the appalling events of the past few weeks have shaken the world, shattered our securities and introduced anxiety or fear into our ordinary lives of work, sightseeing or travel. The images repeatedly shown on television made it all seem so unreal, and desensitised us to the horror happening before our eyes. It was only the pictures of human suffering, grief and anguish that brought us back to reality. Equally unreal is the arsenal of the West converging on Afghanistan where the poor flee their homes only to be halted at closed borders.

Certainly, we must work towards a coalition of nations counter terrorism, but more importantly to work fo peace, to alleviate what causes such hate against the West. We are shocked and appalled at the death of more than 6,000 innocent people, but in developing countries hunger claims this number every two and a half hours, 18 million people each year in a continuous but silent toll.

 

The Lay Missionary Team at Tardun
:Great reports about our Lay Missionaries! Next term all eight houses will be complete with house parents. Bill Boyer last term had all the High School boys, but next term he will have the Senior Secondary boys, while Denis Home will have the Junior Secondary boys. Denis is from Germany with Wolfgang Schussler, who looks after the Senior Primary boys. Christabel Suarez from Glen Waverley has been terrific with the Junior Primary boys. Hannah Wright has settled in well and is doing a great job with the Senior Secondary Girls, Kaye Liedtke is an efficient House Parent of the Junior Secondary Girls. Susan Springer has completed her Lay Missionary service and with her brother, newly arrived from Germany, hopes to travel around Australia. She has a replacement in Christine Scholz who is House Parent for the Senior Primary girls, and Cecilia Jung has a challenging job with the Junior Primary girls. A tremendous team and a multicultural one as well.
Dawn Jackson has been a great stalwart, available to help wherever needed,, whether it be baking bread, sewing, running the shop and much more besides.

 

The Untold Story

The Refugee Council of Australia says the Australian Government, in defending its detention policy, is omitting to inform people of the realities of refugees, such as -

  • Last year 452,000 asylum seekers sought protection in Europe - Less than 12,000 came to Australia.

  • Australia is the only western country to maintain a policy of mandatory non-reviewable detention.

  • Australia has slashed the number of places it devotes to offshore humanitarian program from 15,000 in 1995 to 6,000 in 2001.

  • Australia spends over $120 million per year on detention centres but gives the UN less than $14 million for its core work of protecting and supporting 21.1 million refugees.

  • The vast majority of unauthorised arrivals at this time have come to seek protection from persecution they genuinely fear.

  • Most refugees are not able to travel through conventional channels because they cannot get a passport from the government that is persecuting them.

  • Over 75% (more with Afghans & Iraquis) of the unauthorised arrivals are being determined to be refugees.

  • Australia is obliged under international law to provide protection for refugees.

  • Australia is also bound not to punish refugees for arriving without permission.

  • Every western country receives asylum seekers.

Tina de Groot is back in Tardun and has generously taken over Emma Hona's role in the dining room. Lauri Rowlinson works with Tina and in the kitchen. Both have a great spirit in spite of heavy work. Lauri's husband, Ken, hasn't stopped working since he arrived, doing painting and maintenance. He has offered to do the bus driving next term. Gerry Duck is another stalwart with his friend, Tommy Lahane who is a bricklayer. We keep you all in our prayers each day!

 

 


IT'S TIME FOR LAY MISSIONARY, APPLICATIONS.

People who have a calling to work with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, have willingness, going faith and generosity should get in touch with Fr Pat or Sr Joy: (03) 98538506, or (03) 9802 8538, or on our Email frp.jackson@bigpond.com

 

   FOLLOW- UP ON OUR UAC CONGRESS

The Casa Pallotii Committee has been meeting regularly since the Congress. Made up of 20 people in different committees, (managerial maintenance, communications and fund-raising), the committee made a submission to the Pallottine Council. Negotiations are still on. Please keep us in your prayers for a speedy resolution so that the work of Casa Pallotti can continue. Many interested people are watching for the outcome! Helped by committee members, groups of young adult Casa people, Syndal parish and the Family of God community, Gerard Pidoto and Jane Frances Gooden have met their raising target. We are now exploring various, Grant options.

 

Friends of Montserrat have also been meeting, and with the hermits in the Valley progress is being made. Dorothy Ward, our Lay Missionary at Montserrat, offers a maternal and cheery welcome, a listening and compassionate ear to all who stay. She has helped transform the place, as only a woman can do. Dorothy recently visited Tardun as a welcome break from her duties

 

  

Fr Kelvin's 25th Anniversary of Priesthood was a great event at Kew with the whole Kenny clan present. Kelvin's mum and dad, Mary and Brian (see the photo below), felt quite at home, had prepared tasty sponges, and Kelvin had organised the liturgy. After a brief time home, Fr Kelvin is back in his ministry at Geraldton. A number of Syndal parishioners would not miss this occasion for the world. The. Pallottine Centenary Celebration is being celebrated in a variety of ways.

Mariana Community continue to present holistic spiritual experiences. These are held at Pallottine Community, 85 Studley Park Rd Kew, and are open to all. Why not come along? The next experience will be on October 27th from 10 am - 4pm.

  

 

Men's Breakfasts continue to be held at Kew on the First Wednesday of the month 7.00-8.30 am After a stimulating discussion last month. we are planning a father-son initiation-style W/E camp at Casa Pallotti, Millgrove on Nov 21st and an evening meal at Kew on Nov 14th for wives, but prepared by the men (Well that's the theory!!). Syndal Men's Breakfast is on the Third Wednesday at the same time 7.00-8.30am. Now that the fine weather is in the. way Syndal setting is really conducive to sharing The sharing is adapted to meet the interests concerns of each group of men.

 

Fr Dean is now established at Pallotti College and with Br Lindsay and the team at Pallotti have a heavy schedule. Fr Paul Campbell is on leave and has done much make Pallotti Retreat and Conference Centre a centre of spiritual activity, booked through to next year. Pallotti is also in need of Lay Missionaries. "It's more than a job! It's a Vocation"

 

Liseby La Pierre spoke to Avila Girls on the challenges facing a Missionary and her experiences at Wandalgu, Tardun. It went very well and the girls asked a number of questions.

 

  

A culminating Celebration of our Pallottine Centenary at Kew will be the launching of Fr Kearney's book. Growing in Faith, which is personal, topical and well written. Everyone is welcome on Saturday 17th November at 4 pm followed by a BBQ (BYO meat) side salads will be provided.

 

THE CENACLE NIGHT OF PRAYER AND HEALING is on the 22nd of each month 8 00-9.00pm. There is a wonderful turn-out each night. The power of prayer is very evident in the community that gathers. We need to invoke Mary's intercession for peace, not only to pray for peace but to make peace at home, with each other and with God.

 

ADVENT WORKSHOP

At St Christopher's 5 Doon Avenue, Syndal, we are holding an Advent Workshop for children and parents on December 1st 2.30-4.00. It's a great way of entering into Advent, waiting for the Lord and getting presents and Christmas decorations ready. Why not come along? There will be a small cost for materials.

 

Spirituality Groups in the spirit of St Vincent, relate to the fire that burns within as we grow together in community and release our ministry gifts. Vincent's charism, 'That All are Called' finds expression in outreach events to Gippsland and Melbourne. We are to be Apostles of God's Love to all we meet, and what better place in groups of vital, prayerful Christians.

The community of prayer guides has grown into a skilled and prayerful group. The prayer Guides are ecumenical offering their program 'Journey to Scripture with a Prayer Guide" to various parishes. The next monthly meeting will be on October, 2.00-4.00 pm at Pallottine Community, Kew, and on November 10th at the Alexandra Gardens, Kew, 2.00-4.00 pm. If you are seeking meditative prayer and a deepening contact Sr Joy
03 9853 8506 and join us.

Prayer Guides Training conducted by Sr Joy
at Kew, August 2001

 

ALTAR SERVERS' OUTING to Emerald Lake. It was a glorious day with a bus trip to McDonald's in Ferntree Gully and then a race for the train (return fare) for 20 servers and 4 adults. John Corkhill was our driver Mary Makarucho and Sr Joy as supervisors. Games, a drink of coke and then off again via Puffing Billy to Belgrave   and our bus. The rain held off until we reached home, and what a downpour. God was Good in giving us fine weather.

 

"Let not your hearts be troubled," said Jesus "trust in God and trust in Me '' John the Beloved disciple wrote that, "Perfect love casts out fear." Love, trust and the lack of fear are connected. These virtues keep us from closing our hearts because we are fearful of events or people. Our lives are not totally our own. Whether we recognise it or not we live in dependence on a God who loves us without limits.

Fear comes because we lose touch with our deepest reality. We anticipate the future, become anxious about tomorrow. "Be still and know that I am God. I am the Lord who leadeth thee." Still our minds. Live in the present. Work as if everything depends on You, but trust knowing that everything depends on God.

0ctober, traditionally the month of the Holy Rosary brings us in contact with Mary who heard disturbing news, surrendered to God, was misunderstood by Joseph her husband, knew the life of the homeless and the refugee, and became the mother of an executed criminal. Yet love and faith carried her. Love broke through in the rising of her and the, outpouring of his Spirit. The world has never been the same since her yes linked her to the saving plan of God and the saving work of Jesus.

 

   Life at St Christopher's, Syndal

It's over two months now since i have been appointed to Syndal, taking over from Fr John Flynn. The parish has been wonderfully organised and teams are in place in many sectors of the parish. Fr John Hennessy and Br Kevin Clark initiated me into the role. But I still have my L plates on and hope to graduate from a P to a PP plate. The fruit of Fr John's work resulted in 13 children from our school being baptised. It was an inspiring moment for the whole parish, followed soon by Confirmation, a Pentecost event celebrated by Bishop Hilton Deakin. It has been an initiation for me, but a most enjoyable one.

 

Allo Allo Prionto Roma!

I will be off to Rome for an International Pallottine Formators' Conference and will be back after three weeks. Please keep me in your prayers for a safe journey and a fruitful time.

The year seems to have flown and our time of waiting for the Lord is soon. Jesus invites us to lift our heads in expectant hope.
God Bless You All.
Fr. Pat

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