NEWSLETTER - No. 3/02 October 2002
AUGUSTINIAN FORMATION ASSOCIATION (AFA)
Supporting the training of brothers and priests for the Augustinian Order
Post Office Box 679, Brookvale 2100
This is the final Newsletter for the year and once more I wish to thank each and every one of you for your continued support for the work of the Association. Financially we are keeping ahead, where our quarterly commitment to the Order of $1,500.00 is paid to date and we have over $1,600.00 in funds held with our Christmas Function to come.
During the week beginning 28th July 2002, I attended the 15th Augustinian Provincial Chapter in Brisbane as a Lay participant representing AFA, along with other lay persons from bodies working in conjunction with the Augustinians in Australia. The lay attendees coming from the two schools the Augustinians run in Australia and the various parish communities where the Augustinians have a presence.
The invitation to attend was special to me in two ways; firstly it was the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Province and secondly it was the first time that lay persons had been actively involved in Chapter sessions.
The recently elected Prior General of the Order Father Robert Prevost OSA attended and Father Pat Fahey OSA, recently elected for a second term as Prior Provincial of the Australian Province was formally invested by him. The agenda was a busy one and to my mind one of the major concerns of the Order is their continued ability to maintain a commitment to best serve the communities they minister to, given the erosion of manpower. Thus the work of AFA is significant in praying for vocations to the Order and maintaining our commitment on the funding front. Some lateral thinking in where we direct our funds so that potential aspirants to the Order might be encouraged may also be fruitful.
A Mass to celebrate the 50 years of the Province was held at St James Coorparoo and apart from reacquainting with the Priests and men who have left the Order, who many of you have come to know there was an obvious mood of gratitude expressed by the large congregation to the Order for the service and sacrifices of their men over the years.
AFA Christmas Function Saturday 23rd November 2002.
Our final function for the year will take place at the Warringah Golf Club so keep the date in mind.
Annual General Meeting Wednesday 5th February 2003
7.30 pm St Kierans Community Centre Manly Vale.
This is an opportunity for members to consider taking up a position on the committee, I will not be standing for election and I am most grateful for the support and commitment of the current committee. I know that I am the better for having had the privilege of working with them. To the AFA Chaplain, Father Peter Jones OSA your zeal and attendance at meetings and functions is an inspiration, thank you.
As this will be the final Newsletter for the year and with Christmas around the corner, I would like to wish each of you and your families an atmosphere where you pause to consider where Christ fits into the picture and that he wraps his cloak of safety around you.
Michael Halloway
President
Fr Peter Jones osa
I write at a time when our nation has been traumatized by the horrific effects of the terrorist bombing in Bali. We are numbed in the face of the devastation that has taken place in the lives of so many people and families. Faith is challenged in the struggle to understand why. At the core of the Christian faith is the certainty that the grace of resurrection is stronger than death. Whenever evil seems to be overwhelming, Gods action within us drawing us to goodness is far more powerful. In these days, those whose lives have been wounded in any way by these events are in our prayers.
In terms of Augustinian news, these months have been full of activity. Tan and Joseph continue well in their respective programmes. I am very pleased that many of you have been able to meet them. They are a positive and joyful presence in our Augustinian community at Brookvale.
Since the last newsletter the Provincial Chapter has taken place and news
of the various decisions and post-Chapter appointments will be becoming
known in these weeks. Sr Gavina Barrera and Sr Josie Mabini from the Philippines
have arrived in Australia. They will have a community at Brookvale from
which they will serve at St Augustines College, Brookvale and St
Kierans, Manly Vale. We welcome them to Australia.
The cultural night in which there were presentations from four visiting Korean Augustinians as well as Tan and Joseph (Vietnamese presentation) and Fr Jun Belocura (from the Philippines) was a great success.
Thanks to all the Committee and other members for their involvement in the Annual AFA BBQ and the successful raffle. Special mention of Baden and Joan Keating for organisation of the raffle, Sue Colwell for overseeing the smooth running of the BBQ, Jack Clarke for overseeing the cooking of the steaks and Trudi McFadden and her family for their great work in setting up the tables for the day.
A happy and blessed Christmas to all!
Christmas Cards for sale
Drawn by our Novice, Tan
Assorted packet of 10 cards with envelopes.
Proceeds to our association
$5.00 for 10
To order, please contact Provincial Office: 9905 3049
or
Send your cheque or money order to:
AFA
PO Box 679, Brookvale 2100
Prayers are requested for the following members who are not enjoying good
health:
Dorothy Brennan
Baden Keating
Joan Keating
Fr Dave Brimson osa
Fr Phil Kehoe 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.
Fr Tom Mescall osa
Pat Mullins - Member of AFA and Affiliate of the Order
Please remember to visit the Augustinian website http://www.augustinians.org.au
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