o
HomeAUGUSTINE, AUGUSTINIAN SPIRITUALITY & TRADITION
-

 

AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - for August 2009


God, who is like you?

Thanks be to the Lord our God, and wave upon wave of praise to that God to whom praise songs are due in Zion.

Thanks be to him to whom we have been singing with devoted hearts and mouths, God, who is like you?, because we can feel the holy love of him deeply ensconced in your hearts, because you revere him as Lord, love him as Father.

Thanks be to him who is desired before he is seen and whose presence is felt, and whose coming is hoped for. Thanks be to  him, fear of whom is not shaken off by love, love of whom is not paralyzed by fear. He it is we bless, he it is we honor, both for you and in you.

For the temple of God is holy, which is what you are. Consider what kind of life, what intensity of life must be his, when the very stones of his temple are living in this way.

Think what you are saying and to whom you are saying, God, who is like you? Temples are saying to their God, God, who is like you? Living stones are saying to their occupant, God, who is like you? Let your minds run over the whole of creation, the earth and everything on the earth, the sea and everything in the sea, the air and everything in the air, the sky and everything in the sky. He spoke, and they were made; he commanded and they were created. That’s why every faithful heart should say, God who is like you? every obedient tongue should say, every devout conscience say, and say without a qualm, God, who is like you? It says it, you see, to one of whom it need not be ashamed. This is fitting, this is worthy of living stones.

St Augustine: Sermon 24, 1 ... .I..

Vatican City

An icon depicting the Mother of Good Counsel was recently blessed by the Pope in the Vatican Gardens. On the occasion, the place where the mosaic was installed was renamed Mother of Good Counsel Square.

Taking part in the ceremony were Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of thePontifical Commission for Vatican City State and, among others, the Augustinian community of the parish of Saint Anne in the Vatican. Saint Anne's Parish covers Vatican City.

The new mosaic of the Vatican Gardens copies the iconographic details of the Mother of Good Counsel venerated in the Augustinian Shrine of Genazzano. The blue mantle of the Virgin represents humanity, while the red dress of the child the divinity of Christ. The figure of the Mother shows the typical traces of classical artistic tradition, while the face of the Child calls to mind the byzantine style, thus expressing an ideal embrace of West and East.

The story of the devotion to the Mother of Good Counsel is woven into the miraculous event said to have happened on 25th April 1467 in the Augustinian church at Genazzano, 70 kms from Rome.

For more details go to http://www.augnet.org and type the four-digit page ID number 0324 into its "search" box.


Augustinian Parish of North Harbour, Sydney

The Parish of North Harbour in the Diocese of Broken Bay is the union, which happened on 1st July 2006, of the two previous adjacent Augustinian-administered parishes of Manly Vale and Balgowlah.

In this area of the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, the Augustinians began their pastoral leadership in Manly Vale in 1952 and at Balgowlah in 2004.

We are planning a major EVENT to rekindle that experience and to take us forward. The EVENT is the series of gatherings around Jesse Manibusan on two weekends in late August 2009 (dates and times below). The goal is to create opportunity for all in the parish to have their spirits touched by the community gathered, by song, by prayer, by teaching, by laughter! You can attend one or several of the gatherings. Remember, if there are people who are important to you whom you would like to see ‘at church’ then they will more likely come because of good experience, not because of some compelling intellectual argument. When Jesse Manibusan visited us last time, we had a good experience. ....................................... .........Jesse Manibusan

Friday, 21st August 2009:
Whole Parish, 7.00 - 8.00 pm

Saturday, 22nd August 2009:
Adults Together: 9.30 - 10.30 am; Women Together: 11.00 am - 12.30 pm;
Men Together: 1.30 - 300 pm; Families Together: 3.30 - 4.30 pm.

Saturday, 29th August 2009:
Children's Liturgy Workshop: 3.30 - 4.30 pm

The parish web site is http://northharbour.catholicau.com/index.html



St Thomas of Villanova Parish, Mareeba

Wonderful, moving, humbling are only three of the many words which could be used about the celebration held on Sunday, 7th June 2009 at St Thomas’s Catholic Church. History was made when Ralph Madigan, a member of the local Muluridgi people, was ordained as a Deacon during a special Mass held at 2.00pm.

Ralph has been preparing for six years for this day. A congregation of around 500 people filled the Church, coming from Kuranda, Dimbulah, Julatten and from throughout the Cairns Diocese. Bishop James Foley and thirteen priests concelebrated the Mass.

Augustinian Provincial Fr Tony Banks along with Augustinian priests Fr Pat Fahey and Fr Peter Hayes, travelled from Sydney and Brisbane for the occasion. Parish priest Fr Robert Greenup OSA assisted Ralph to vest in a deacon’s stole and dalmatic during the Mass

The St Thomas’s Choir, who had been practising for many weeks, sang so beautifully and added so much to the celebration.

Before his Ordination Ralph said, "It’s been my calling for a number of years and now it has turned into a reality. I’m a bit nervous because it will be a change of lifestyle as I’m going from being a lay person to being an ordained person.”

Ralph is looking forward to his new role, saying; “It will be a challenge to work within the parish and in pastoral care. I will try to work closely with the Aboriginal people and have more Aboriginal Catholics becoming involved in the parish.”

Ralph will be helping Fr Rob, who is parish priest of both Mareeba, including Kuranda and Julatten, and Dimbulah, with baptisms, marriages, funerals, in giving the homily at Mass and with pastoral care throughout the two parishes.

Fr Rob commented on what a wonderful occasion it was for Mareeba and the Diocese with Ralph being the first person ever ordained at St Thomas’s Church and the second Deacon to be ordained in the Cairns Diocese

Following Mass everyone gathered on the Reconciliation Lawn beside St Thomas's Church to congratulate Ralph and share refreshments.

Mareeba is located on the tableland behind the tropical tourist city of Cairns, in northern Queensland, Australia. The Parish of St Thomas of Villanova in Mareeba has been staffed by the Order of Saint Augustine since the parish began almost a century ago.


Villanova College, Coorparoo

Villanova is a college (an upper primary and secondary school which enrolled approximately 1,160 male day pupils for the 2009 academic year) of the Order of Saint Augustine at Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia.

The College Newsletter has announced how the current economic stimulus grants of the Federal Government to Australian schools will be applied to Villanova. Initially the Lecceto Building (built in 1961, and containing primary school classrooms) will be refurbished. The sagging roof will be replaced, insulation will be added in the ceiling, and new windows fitted.

During the next holiday period, the Library building will also be refurbished with money from the same source.

The College's web site is: http://www.vnc.qld.edu.au


Augustinians in South Korea

The Order of Saint Augustine first went to South Korea in 1985, and two Australian Augustinians were in the group of four priests initially sent there. The Order in Korea accepted its first Korean-born candidates in 1990, and still regards the task of training its Korean-born Augustinians as a primary ministry.

The Augustinian Delegation of Korea now staffs three communities, located at Incheon, Kang-hwa Island and Yeon-Chon (north of Seoul).

The House of Studies (Formation community) is situated on beautiful Kang-hwa Island just off the western coast of South Korea, and joined to the mainland by two bridges. It is sixty-nine kilometres from Seoul, and is a very popular venue for weekend outings.

Dedicated to St Nicholas of Tolentine O.S.A., the House of Studies is surrounded by rice fields, and by market gardens that grow hot chili peppers and vegetables. The Incheon Seminary and Kimpo Technical College are each only fifteen minutes away by car.

Above: Augustinian ministry, Korea.

During July 2009 there were a series of meetings on the topic of the formation of religious communities. Some of these meetings were for the superiors of communities, and others were for the communities themselves. A separate meeting was held to assist the local Augustinians who form the Council of the Delegation of Korea.

All of these meetings were facilitated by Fr Peter Jones O.S.A., who was visiting from Australia.


Augustinian Centre for Spirituality

A small oasis of quiet and hospitality in western suburban Sydney, Australia, the Augustinian Centre for Spirituality (photo at right) at Greystanes seeks to assist persons and groups of all faith backgrounds in their spiritual journey.

The 2009 programme of prayer days and courses is available on this web site. For the program for 2009, click here.

Upcoming events in August 2009 are: A Course entitled Spending Time with St Teresa of Avila - facilitated by Fr  John McCall O.S.A.on Thursdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August -- from 7.45 pm to 9.15 pm.  

Prayer Day: Praying with Augustine - facilitated by  Fr Peter Jones O.S.A.; Wednesday, 26th August - from 9.45 am to 2.30 pm.

Prayer Day: Praying with Augustine - facilitated by  Fr Peter Jones O.S.A.; Wednesday, 26th August - from 9.45 am to 2.30 pm.

For more information on the Centre, please phone (02) 9896 6749, or e-mail osaspirit@bigpond.com.au


Augustinian Parish, Coorparoo

The Parish of St James, Coorparoo (Brisbane) has been in the care of the Augustinians since 1952. Villanova College, also conducted by the Order, is located within the parish.

Photo: Saint James's Priory, Coorparoo.

The Parish will celebrate Saints Augustine and Monica on the weekend of 29th-30th August with a brunch to follow the Sunday 9.00am Mass. Augustinian Friends will meet to celebrate the feasts of Augustine and Monica on Wednesday, 26th August 2009.  The evening will begin with a shared dinner from 6:30pm in St James's Priory. For more details, telephone the Parish Office on (07) 3397 1671

See the parish web site for further information: http://www.stjames-coorparoo.org.au/


Augustinian Parish, South Yarra

In Melbourne, the capital city of the Australian State of Victoria, the Augustinians have care of the Parish of Saint Joseph, South Yarra. The parish also has a second church, dedicated to St Thomas Aquinas, at Bromby Street, South Yarra. The Order of St Augustine has ministered in the parish since 1976.

On the initiative of some of our younger couples in the parish a Supper Dance (see photo below) was arranged for the Parish Great Hall on Saturday, 30th May 2009. It was a fundraiser for the Crisis Shelter accommodation at St. Joseph’s Parish, and netted almost $2,000. The success of the evening has already confirmed the decision to have another such gathering henceforth.

It is hoped that two additional Parish Crisis Shelters will be operational by December 2009. The parish currently has one short-term crisis shelter, which is the only one of its kind in Melbourne. It is variously used to house single parents, couples with children and homeless adults. The shelter is fully self-contained, and is occupied 365 nights a year. There are usually up to eight families vying for accommodation whenever the shelter briefly becomes vacant. The planned two additional shelters will certainly help the Parish to address the ever-worsening problem of the homeless here in Melbourne.

The parish website is: www.ozemail.com.au/~osasthyarra


St Augustine’s College, Sydney

St Augustine's College is an Augustinian day school for over 1,000 male day pupils in the upper primary and secondary years of education. Founded in 1956, it is located at Brookvale (Sydney), Australia.

Construction has commenced of a Primary Multi-Purpose Hall (see sketch) on the College grounds, a result of a covering grant that is part of the Federal Government's stimulus package funding. The structure will include a 260 square metre hall, three new classrooms, two offices and storage space.

The site of the building is the position occupied until recently by the demountable chalets. The building will be ready for use for the opening of the 2010 academic year.

The College's web site is www.saintaug.nsw.edu.au


Augustinian Parish, St Clair

Holy Spirit Parish at St Clair in western Sydney, Australia, was established twenty-five years ago, and has been administered by the Order of Saint Augustine for the past eleven years.

.....................

The weekend of 20th-21st June 2009 saw the first Masses for First Eucharist and Confirmation in 2009. The Most Rev. Kevin Manning, Bishop of Parramatta, presided at these ceremonies at Holy Spirit Church (photo above: church foyer).

The parish web site is http://www.holyspiritstclair.com.au


Augustinian Formation Association (A.F.A.)

The AFA prays for and raises funds for the formation of future Augustinians. Based in Sydney, Australia, its office bearers for 2009 are Trudi McFadden (president), Eddie Robinson (treasurer), Lesley Sing (assistant treasurer) and Yvonne Clark (secretary).

A goal for AFA in 2009 is to seek ways of expanding its membership, especially seeing that the number of Augustinian students in formation is increasing, meaning that additional support would be very timely.

Forthcoming AFA events include the Annual Mass and Luncheon at Manly Vale on Sunday, 20th September 2009, and the annual end-of-year celebration at the Warringah Golf Club on Saturday evening, 28th November 2009. To obtain more details, use the contact telephone number (below).

To obtain more details about the Augustinian Formation Association, contact Fr L. Mooney O.S.A. (AFA chaplain) or the staff of the Provincial Office on (w) (02) 9905 3049.


Augustinian Friends

Augustinian Friends is a lay group conducted in Australia for those wishing to learn more about the spirituality of Saint Augustine of Hippo, and to have contact with others who share this goal. Branches of the Friends operate at a number of Augustinian venues in Brisbane, Mareeba, Melbourne, Northern Victoria, and Sydney.

The Friends' newsletter, Amici, has now reached its tenth anniversary, and much has happened within Augustinian Friends during this decade. For example, there have been three Lay Congresses: in Echuca in 2001, Sydney (Brookvale) in 2004, and in Melbourne (South Yarra) in 2007. The next Congress will take place in Brisbane in July 2010.

Leaders of the various Friends' branches met at the Augustinian Centre for Spirituality at Greystanes (Sydney) on the weekend of 7th-9th November 2008 (see photo below).

The position of Co-Leaders of the National Committee is presently shared by Ruth McGowan and Maureen Atkins of northern Victoria, and Fr. Paul Maloney O.S.A. is the chaplain of the group.

The English and U.S. Augustinians are involved with generally similar Augustinian Friends movements in their respective nations.

In England, “Friends of Augustine” has now begun its own website:
http://www.friendsofaugustine.org In the United States, the web site is http://www.augustinianfriends.org

For an Amici newsletter subscription or for any additional information on the Friends, contact Fr Paul Maloney at Greystanes (Sydney) at paulmal@bigpond.com.au or phone him on (02) 9631 0340.

For additional information about Augustinian Friends on this web site, click here.

Augustinian Volunteers Australia

Augustinian Volunteers Australia has commenced its Justice and Peace activity. This is happening in an outer-western suburb of Sydney, Australia. Five young adults are participating. With others, during February 2008 they undertook a formation period in social justice, Catholic social teaching, critical analysis and Augustinian spirituality.

On 25th February 2008 they then began assisting three already-established social justice ministries of the Catholic Church in the suburb of Mount Druitt, Sydney.

(Above): Three of the Volunteers of 2008.

These Augustinian Volunteers serve one full day per week in activities that include an education support program, migrant family assistance and men’s shelter assistance. The Volunteers live at their respective home addresses elsewhere in Sydney.

Augustinian Volunteers Australia is directed and supervised by Paul Wilson (see photo), a layman who is employed full-time as the Justice and Peace Officer of the Australian Augustinian Province.

It is anticipated that the Augustinian Volunteers program in coming years will also have provision for full-time members who will live in an Augustinian Volunteers lay community for twelve months, as already occurs within Augustinian Volunteers (U.S.A.). (To read thought-provoking and heart-warming reports from some of the current Augustinian Volunteers U.S.A., click here.)

Augustinian Volunteers Australia invites interested young adults to assist its future planning by completing the obligation-free survey attached to this web site.

More details about Augustinian Volunteers Australia are available on the social justice section of this web site.

Contact:

Mr Paul Wilson, Justice and Peace Project Officer, c/- St Augustine’s Priory,
P.O. Box 679 Brookvale NSW 2100, Australia. Mobile phone: 0438 646 294 Email: paul.wilson@augustinians.org.au Website: www.augustinians.org.au

Augustinian Ministry Websites 2009

FOR SOME CURRENT NEWS ABOUT THE ORDER OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA Click here

The Augustinian international web site is: http://www.osanet.org/en/default.htm

AUGUSTINIAN CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM 2007
2 Hewitt Avenue
Greystanes 2145
Enquiries (02) 9896 6794
www.augustinians.org.au/communities/greystanes.html

 

 

  
  top  
   
Spirituality & Tradition Current News
The Augustinians Becoming An Augustinian
Communities & Ministries Welcome
Lay Groups Links