AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - October 2001

Are you a lover of peace? Be still there in your heart with your beloved. "And what am I to do?" There's plenty you can do. Put a stop to wrangling, turn to prayer. Don't repel with abuse someone showering you with abuse, but pray for him. You want to speak against him; instead speak to God for him. I'm not telling you to keep quiet, but rather to choose carefully where you speak, in whose presence you speak while keeping quiet, your lips shut tight, your heart crying out loudly. Where that man can't see you, that's where you must be a good friend on his behalf.

But you can give this kind of peaceable answer to one who doesn't love peace, and wants to pick a quarrel: "Whatever you may wish to say, however much you hate me, detest me as you please, you are still my brother. What can you do in order not to be my brother? Whether you're good or bad, whether you like it or not, inescapably you are my brother."

And he says, "How am I your brother, O my foe, my enemy?" "By the very fact of your saying this, you are my brother." .

• The Augustinians in Australia congratulate Robert Prevost osa on his election as Prior General of the Augustinians. He was elected on 14 September for a 6 year term. Robert succeeds Miguel Angel Orcasitas osa who completes twelve years of service during which he twice visited Australia. We thank Fr Miguel for his service in leadership and wish him well for whatever ministry awaits him.
  
  
• During September, the Augustinians had their General Chapter in Rome. Representing Australia was the Provincial, Fr Pat Fahey. Fr Pat has sent a report of the Chapter for friends and supporters of the Order in Australia.
  
  
• Read the biography of the new Prior General, Robert Francis Prevost.
  
  
• Provincial's Report - The General Chapter of the Order
  
  Provincials, Delegates (called Capitulars, i.e. Chapter members) and officials, all from over forty nationalities, gathered with the General Council of the Order at the International College of Saint Monica to celebrate the Ordinary General Chapter of the Order. This assembly gathers every six years to elect a new Prior General and Council, and to provide direction for the Order's life and evangelisation for the following six-year term.
  
  After an organizational meeting to acquaint the capitulars with the processes of the Chapter, we left for the Church of Sant'Agostino to celebrate the opening Mass of the Holy Spirit. Before the Mass, we were given a rare tour of our old Curia, taken away from us by the forces of the Italian State during the late nineteenth century. It is an impressive building, presently occupied by what we would call the Attorney General's Department. I'm glad we don't live there now. It's too grand for simple friars. Apparently, we occupied it from soon after the Grand Union in 1256.
  
  The Mass was beautifully prepared, and the out-going Prior General, Miguel Angel Orcasitas, preached an inspiring homily. At the end of the Mass all the capitulars together with the community of Sant'Agostino, processed together to the large sacristy where we sang the Order's official hymn, Magne Pater Augustine. It was a moving experience. Following this, we were invited by the community of Sant'Agostino to dine with them.
  
  On the day following, we commenced the official work of the Chapter. There were three sections to it:
  • the partial revision of the Constitutions of the Order - the document which specifies the Rule of Augustine for us;
    
    
  • the election of the new Prior General and Council, as well as other officials of the General Curia;
    
    
  • the production of a document which embodies the recommendations made by the out-going Council, together with those received from the friars all over the world, and which are to be the focus of the work to be undertaken by the new Prior General and Council.
  
  This was a lot to demand, but the organization of the Chapter was outstanding. This was due particularly to the labours of a select committee who worked out the processes to be used in discussions, and the manner of approaching our work (language groups, plenary sessions, the method of reporting, interventions from individuals, etc.). But overall credit must go to the Secretary General, Miguel Angel Juarez. He was absolutely clear as to the way we should move, and he facilitated that without fuss. All this was accomplished by using three official languages (English, Italian and Spanish) which were simultaneously translated from the language booths at the top of the Hall. Although the majority of the Friars spoke two languages, there was always need for some translation.
  
  At the end of the first week, a "straw vote" was taken to see how the Capitulars were thinking as regards the new General. Two names emerged, those of Alejandro Moral (Provincial of the Province of Spain) and Robert Prevost (Provincial of Chicago). After a few days, the official vote began, and it became evident after a while that Robert would be elected. At that moment, Alejandro left his seat, went up to Bob and shook his hand. The result was announced shortly afterwards.
  
  We then retired to the Chapel where the Prior General took his oath of office. Each of us embraced him and promised our help and our prayer.
  
  I had never been struck so much by the democracy of the Order as I was during this Chapter, and this is our tradition. As soon as the Prior General resigned his office, according to the Ritual of the Order, and it was accepted by the President of the Chapter, at that moment his position in the Order changed significantly. One moment, he held the highest office in the Order. The next moment, he went back to his seat as an ordinary Friar, with no more authority than the least.
  
  One of the most inspiring moments of the Chapter was the declaration of Nigeria to be a fully-fledged Province of the Order. This meant that it is the first fully fledged Province to be declared in Africa, the continent of Our Holy Father, Saint Augustine. When the result of the secret ballot was announced, the Capitulars all rose to their feet and applauded wildly. Patrick Akinrimisi, the new Provincial, then thanked the Chapter for its trust and confidence.
  
  The final day saw the signing of the Acts of the Chapter, and the closing Mass which was held at the Church of Maria del Popolo, where, in fact, the Order began back in 1256. It was a fitting end to an inspiring Chapter which I was privileged to attend.
  
  
• The New General Council as follows: Alejandro Moral: Vicar General, Eusebio Berdon (First Councillor), Art Purcaro (Second Councillor), Emanuel Borg Bonello (Malta) (Third Councillor), Miguel Angel Keller (Panama) (Fourth Councillor), Wim Sleddens (Holland) (Fifth Councillor), Petro Bellini (Procurator General), Martin Micallef (Malta) (Oeconome General), Miguel Angel Juarez Martin (Secretary General).
  
  
• The Augustinians in Australia join with people throughout the world in being saddened by the terrorist attack that occurred in the United States on 11 September. We pray for those who died, the injured, the bereaved and all whose spirits have been saddened by these events. We pray that the hatred that gives birth to mindless violence give way to love and reverence for life. We pray for peace in our world.
  
  
• Leadership Training Camp in North Queensland for 15 to 21 year old young people
  
  St Thomas's Parish, Mareeba, is hosting this dynamic leadership training camp at the Genazzano Centre on Lake Tinaroo. Greg Smith from NSW, is the camp Facilitator, with Michael Kelly, from Brisbane, the Liturgy Co-ordinator. Workshops will include a variety of activities. Come along and share, make new friends, laugh and have fun.
  
  More information
  
  
• At the Augustinian Centre : Weekly Christian Meditation Group meets every Monday at 7.45 pm, 4 Hewittt Ave Greystanes 2145. (No charge; no previous experience necessary).
  For more information please telephone 02 9896 6794 or email osaspirit@bigpond.com.au
  
  
• New web address for Holy Spirit Parish St Clair - www.holyspiritstclair.com.au
  The Parish email address is: holyspiritparish@holyspiritstclair.com.au
  
  
• "Life with Augustine"...a course in his spirit and guidance for daily living. This excellent programme compiled by Edmond Maher is a self study adult education programme which provides a means by which participants can come to know more about Augustine, the times in which he lived, the Scriptures that taught him, the life inspired by him and its relevance to us today. Enquiries to:
  
  "Life with Augustine"
  PO Box 679
  Brookvale NSW
  2100
  
  
• St Thomas's Church, Mareeba is holding its annual Aboriginal Culture Mass on Sunday 21 October at 10.00am. Sister Dorothy Fuller A.D., from Melville Island, will be a special guest and will speak. The AICC Singers from Cairns will also take an active part in the celebration. This annual celebration is always warmly received. Mass begins on the church steps with the traditional smoke purification ceremony and the haunting sound of the didgeridoo accompanying priests and people into the church. During Mass many songs are sung in Aboriginal dialect. Following Mass a shared morning tea is enjoyed by all under the shade of a jacaranda tree.
  Everybody is most welcome.

Important Dates

20th Anniversary Celebration Mass Holy Spirit Parish. 9.30.
30th September.

The new parochial district of St Clair was cut off from the parish of St Mary's on 1st October 1981. The new parish priest, Fr Brian Rooney celebrated the initial Sunday Mass at 9.30. on 4th October 1981 in the meeting room of St Mary's parish.

Fr Rooney will join the parish at its Eucharistic celebration on Sunday 30th Sept.. The theme for the parish celebration is 'unity in diversity'. This theme will be evident after the Mass in a Celebration Brunch of the various foods from the many national heritages in the parish community.

Holy Spirit Acknowledges Refugee and Asylum Seekers Sunday.

The Parish Social Justice Focus Group prepared for this Sunday over a number of months. Members informed themselves of the world refugee situation and of the conditions in Australia's detention centres. At one of its meetings a former detention centre resident shared his experiences.

Finally, the Focus Group prepared a letter and petition addressed to local politicians. All parishioners at Masses on the weekend of Refugee Sunday were invited to sign these documents. Some literature on aspects of the refugee situation was made available to all those attending Masses and the several parish Bulletins preceding this Sunday contained extensive information. In addition, Sr Josephine Mitchell of the Mary MacKillop Institute for East Timorese Studies spoke at all Masses.

Asylum in Holy Spirit Church - 7.30 pm.

Asylum is a performance about refugees. It was first produced in May this year by urban theatre projects. Members of the Parish Social Justice Focus Group approached the producer who agreed to invite the cast to stage Asylum in Holy Spirit church as an event for the 20th anniversary of the parish.

Asylum has been created by individuals who are interested in the status of refugees in Australia. Some have been through such experiences and some are sympathetic to the plight of refugees. This play tries to shed light on the human story and the issues that surround the detention of refugees in Australia. The performers will be Sepideh, Angel, Cyrus, Nahro and Anna. The director is Claudia Chidiac.

Asylum is a one hour production, to be staged at Holy Spirit Church, Todd Row, St Clair on Friday 19th Oct.. Admission is free. Assembly at the front of the church is 7.

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