NEWSLETTER - No. 1/02 February 2002

AUGUSTINIAN FORMATION ASSOCIATION (AFA)

Supporting the training of brothers and priests for the Augustinian Order

Post Office Box 679, Brookvale 2100

At the Association's annual general meeting on Wednesday 13^th February 2002 held at St Kieran's Manly Vale the following office bearers were elected:

President - Michael Halloway
Vice-President - Baden Keating
Secretary - Yvonne Clarke
Asst. Secretary - Betty Epps
Treasurer - Eddie Robinson
Social Secretary - Sue Colwell
Committee - Bill and Pat Ward, Joan Keating, Margaret Van Ommen

I thank the outgoing Committee and welcome the new where you will notice that most of the positions occupied are by outgoing members. This reflects a strong commitment of these people of time and effort in accomplishing the stated mission of the Association.

Most important also is the support each of you gives to your continued membership as your subscriptions are a platform for our quarterly contributions to the Order of $1,500.00. You will find enclosed a summary of our cash flow where you will observe that our reserves are low. To this end the decision has been taken by the incoming committee at the Annual General Meeting to increase annual subscriptions to $20.00 per family and the subscription renewals are enclosed. It is important to observe that your subscriptions are only payable if your particular address label does not have the endorsement "02".

Recently I was returning to Sydney from the Tamworth area via Gloucester and as I came to the Pacific Highway above Newcastle the evidence of bushfires, some three weeks earlier, right up to the roadside was evident. What was also most apparent was the beginnings of new growth in the form of bud bursts on charred trees and a tinge of green appearing on the ground; new life. So to is new life appearing in the Augustinians in Australia with two new students coming into the community at Brookvale, our prayers and our works now have a tangible goal. We applaud these men for taking on the challenge where our funds will now be immediately directed to the Australian Province.

Diary dates for 2002

Stall at Manly Corso - Saturday 27^th April 2002
Contact Sue Colwell (02) 9948 1294.
- for those who are able, goods for the stall are always accepted in the form of quality items such as knitted items and goods prepared with TLC.

Membership Drive at Manly Vale and Balgowlah - 11^th August 2002
- in other parishes dependent on fitting in with projects in the various Augustinian Parishes.

Mass and BBQ at Manly Vale 18^th August 2002

Annual Christmas Party - 30^th November 2002
- Venue TBA.

Once again I thank you for your continued support. Michael Halloway, President, Tel (02) 9949 1758

...from Fr Peter Jones osa

As we begin a new year I am pleased to be able to inform AFA members that the Order has accepted two candidates into the formation programme of the Australian Province. So with you I welcome Minh-Tan Hoang (Tan) and Duy Pham (Joseph) who moved into the Augustinian Community at Brookvale in mid-February. Tan and Joseph were originally born in Vietnam from where their families migrated to Australia. Recently Tan has graduated in nursing and has been working in that field. Joseph has been both working and studying since completion of his schooling. Last year they participated in the Augustinian discernment programme from which they made the decision to apply to join.

The prayers of AFA members for vocations to the Order are of importance to the Augustinians. I ask you to remember Tan and Joseph in your prayers and they look forward to meeting many of you in the years ahead.

Fr Peter Jones OSA

Prayers are requested for the following members who are not enjoying good health:

• Dorothy Brennan
• Jack Pike
• Baden Keating
• Fr Dave Brimson osa
• Fr Tom Mescall osa and Fr Maurice O'Connor osa

Any other members of AFA requesting prayers please write to: Fr Peter Jones osa

Rest in Peace

Prayers are requested for the following recently deceased members of AFA. Marcia Rush William Jewell The Association extends its deepest sympathy to the Rush and Jewell families.

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