"THE AUGUSTINIAN" April 2002

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IRISH PROVINCE NEWS

Augustinian Commitment to Africa
(extract from "OSA Justice & Peace, Sept. 2002" per Art Purcaro)

The General Chapter of the Order of St Augustine calls the attention of all to the African continent, aside from our actual commitment in other regions, because Africa, particularly at the south of Sahara, finds itself in an extremely critical and urgent situation, worsened by the crisis of AIDS, scarcity of basic nutrition and political and social instability. In this precarious situation the international community, the Church and the Order have a role to play.

As our response to the signs of the times and as faithful heirs of St Augustine we choose to direct our hearts and energies towards Africa, contributing with our spiritual traditions to the evangelisation of a continent that is so much in need of the Good News.

Pat Codd osa

All of the amazing friendships, great memories, and this new,sense of God in my life wouldn't have been madereality that it is. From this experience I nowthat God isin each andone of us. He has lit a flame in our hearts so as it can light the path of our journey through life.

'You are the salt of the earth, You are the light of the world.'

Aboriginal Mass
St Thomas of Villanova, Mareeba

The guest speaker was Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, who is the Principal of the Catholic School at Daly River in the Northern Territory. She is also a renowned artist, writer and poet.

During her address, Miriam Rose emphasized the identity that Aboriginal people have with nature; she also spoke of the "special quality" of her people, a quality that she considered 'the greatest gift' that her people can give their fellow Australians-this quality is called dadirri. This concept of dadirri combines contemplation, quiet listening, stillness and the awareness of nature and the Creator. It is this awareness that Miriam Rose feels is the essence of the feeling of being close to the Creator and in this awareness "Jesus enriches and renews our culture." In part Miriam-Rose said "We have learned to speak the white man's language. We have listened to what he had to say. This learning and listening should go both ways...we keep on longing for the things that we have always hoped for-respect and understanding. Miriam Rose concluded by saying that with the Word of God-Jesus-the spirit of dadirri "will blossom and grow, not just within ourselves, but in the whole nation."

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