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AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - for June 2009

Recognise in the bread what hung on the cross, and in the cup what flowed from his side.

Christ our Lord, who offered by suffering for us what by being born he had received from us, has become our high priest forever, and has given us the order of sacrifice which you can see, of his body, that is to say, and his blood.

When his body, remember, was pierced by the lance, it poured forth the water and the blood by which he canceled our sins.

Be mindful of this grace as you work out your salvation, since it is God who is at work in you, and approach with fear and trembling to partake of this altar. Recognize in the bread what hung on the cross, and in the cup what flowed from his side.

You see, those old sacrifices of the people of God also represented in a variety of ways this single one that was to come. Christ himself, I mean, was both a sheep, because of his innocence and simplicity of soul, and a goat because of the likeness of the flesh of sin. And whatever else was foretold in many and diverse ways in the sacrifices of the old covenant, refers to this single one which has been revealed in the new covenant.

St Augustine: Sermon 228b, 2 .I.
P.

Fr Roderick Cameron O.S.A. - R.I.P.

“The land is full of the words of the sacred.”

This simple yet profound sentence sums up much of the driving force in the creative growth and direction taken by the life of the Augustinian priest and poet, Father Roderick James Cameron O.S.A., who died in Brisbane on Friday, 29th May 2009, at the age of eighty-five years.

He was born in Mount Morgan, Queensland on 10th March 1924, and was pre-deceased by his sister and two brothers, one of whom, Fr Ralph Cameron O.S.A., was also an Augustinian priest.(See archives of November 2007.)

Rod’s parents were married at Burketown by an Augustinian priest in Queensland’s remote Gulf Country when the Church in Far North Queensland was part of the Vicariate of Cooktown and administered by the Augustinian Order. When Rod’s father died during Rod’s childhood, the family moved to Cairns. It was in that city that Rod received his primary and secondary education, firstly with the Sisters of Mercy at St Monica’s School and then with the Marist Brothers at St Augustine’s College.

Shortly afterwards, Rod joined the Order of St Augustine. During the Second World War he was sent to the United States for his Augustinian formation and priestly studies, and was ordained a priest in Washington D.C. on 9th February 1950. While in the U.S.A., he completed two postgraduate degrees, a Master of Arts and a Master of Science degrees.

On his return to Australia he was assigned to Villanova College in Brisbane, where he taught religion and science for ten years. As well, he became the national director of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima in 1956-1961, and contributed a weekly religious column to Queensland’s Catholic newspaper, the Catholic Leader.

During a number of weeks in 1960, he visited Aboriginal missions in the Kimberley region of Western Australia as an extension worker of the Legion of Mary, especially with members of the Karajari tribe, who were then still essentially following their traditional culture. This experience deepened his interest in the Aboriginal people and their spirituality, and had a lasting effect on his life and ministry.

In 1961-1963 he was associate pastor at St Joseph’s Parish at Parramatta in Cairns, Queensland, and then in 1965 began eighteen years of teaching at St Augustine’s College in Brookvale, which is the college of the Order of St Augustine in Sydney.

From Sydney he moved back to parish ministry in 1983 in tropical far north Queensland at St Thomas of Villanova Parish, Mareeba, from which base he also assisted in the Aboriginal ministry of the surrounding Diocese of Cairns. While there, in 1985 he became Chairman of the Far North Queensland regional committee of Wontulp College, which is the Queensland branch of Nungalinya College, Darwin, that was funded by the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Churches.

In late 2001 he retired in the Augustinian community at Villanova Priory, Coorparoo, Brisbane, and then because of declining health since late 2007 lived at Canossa Home in western Brisbane.

While previously stationed at Brookvale in Sydney, Rod had begun writing poetry on the themes of the Aboriginal Dreamtime and Aboriginal spirituality. He published privately his first two books of poems on these themes in 1965 and 1972. His most successful book, Alcheringa, was published in 1992 by Saint Paul Publications (of the international religious order involved in media, the Society of Saint Paul). Saint Paul Publications then published Karingal in 1995 and Opala in 1997.

He spoke about his poetry and Aboriginal themes and issues to numerous parish and church groups and to Aboriginal organisations, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Catholic Commission.

Rod stated in 2000, “To appreciate the Aboriginal spiritual identity is a prerequisite for a deep and genuine acceptance of Reconciliation in the Australian nation. This drives me on, the conviction that to understand the Aboriginal spirit will help to clear away our misconceptions and fears, and to appreciate where the Aboriginal people are coming from in this issue.”

The late Fr Rod Cameron was blessed with human warmth, a quick sense of humour, a profound conviction of the inherent goodness of people, a simplicity of living, compassion for the marginalised, and a poetic appreciation of the presence of God in people and in Nature.

Rod’s Funeral Mass took place at St James’s Church, Coorparoo, Brisbane on Wednesday, 3rd June 2009 at 1.30 pm. Members of the Aboriginal community and representatives of Wontulp College (mentioned above) attended. Fr Cameron was buried in the Augustinian section of Nudgee Catholic Cemetery in northern Brisbane.

May he rest in peace.


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 eighth Principal (headmaster) of Villanova will take office on 1st January 2010. He is Dennis Harvey, who is a past pupil, past teacher and a past parent of the College (his son graduated there in 1996). He attended Villanova as a student in 1963-1971, and taught there in 1985-1994 before joining Support Team of Brisbane Catholic Education.

His current position is Senior Education Officer for Curriculum at Brisbane Catholic Education.

He gained academic degrees in science, religion and education, and a background in a variety of areas of Catholic Education.  He has administrative experience as Assistant Principal and Acting Rector at Villanova. Since 2007 he has been a member of the Villanova College Council.

Dennis will be the fourth past pupil to lead Villanova, and will follow in this manner the footsteps of his three immediate predecessors, Fr Laurie Mooney O.S.A., Fr Peter Wieneke O.S.A. and Fr Michael Morahan O.S.A.

The college 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.

There are three members in the Formation Team, the Prior, (Fr Jacobo Seo O.S.A.), the Novice Master, (Fr John Sullivan O.S.A.), and Br Salesio Lee O.S.A., who is presently studying to be a formator. The six students range in age from 20 to 36 years. Four are studying for the priesthood and two for the lay brotherhood.

In the photo (above), the student in white is doing his spirituality year, called the Novitiate year. This photo was taken inside the community chapel which is built in Korean traditional style and where all are seated on the floor for Mass and prayers.

Sixty photos of the Order of Saint Augustine in Korea are available on the Internet by selecting the photo gallery named Korea after you click on http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6


Augustinian Centre for Spirituality

A small oasis of quiet and hospitality in western suburban Sydney, Australia, the Augustinian Centre for Spirituality 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.

Over the four Tuesdays in May 2009 (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) and finishing on the first Tuesday in June (2nd) Fr Paul Maloney OSA presented an evening course titled Apocalypse Now. The course has been a reflective scripture study of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) in which Fr Paul has sought to address the fear and confusion that often surround much of the imagery used in Revelation so as to allow the magnificent and relevant message of the Apocalypse to emerge. About twenty people attended the course.

On the 6th May 2009 we welcomed to the Centre the Newcastle branch of Augustinian Friends for their annual pilgrimage to Greystanes. The relationship of these friends from Newcastle (pictured above) with the Augustinian family dates from the time when there was an Augustinian community there (1988-1994). This being the year of St Paul, Fr Paul Maloney led a reflection on the significance of Judaism in the theology of St Paul and St Augustine.

On the 23rd May 2009, Frs Paul Maloney and Peter Jones led a retreat day at Holy Spirit parish, St Clair for those involved in ministries at the parish. The theme of ministry was developed during the day through ministry in the New Testament, St Augustine’s ministry and concluding with contemporary insights into ministry and the reality of ministry at St Clair in 2009.

Coming up in June 2009: Prayer Day at Augustinian Centre for Spirituality, Greystanes: Praying in the presence of the Blessed Eucharist led by Fr Peter Jones OSA. A day of adoration and praise supported by a meditative listening to Scripture and Saint  Augustine’s insights on the mystery of the Eucharist. Wednesday, 10th June 2009, 9:45 am  -  2:30 pm.

For more information on the prayer day please contact the Centre at 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: The sanctuary of St James's Church, Coorparoo.

At the 9.00am Mass on Pentecost Sunday 31st May 2009, the parish gave thanks for the ministry of Sr Margaret White of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. After serving the Parish generously and faithfully as an organist for over 20 years, due to some health issues Sr Margaret has retired and is no longer able to take an active role in the Parish.  A special presentation was made to Sr Margaret at the Mass.

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


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 1956 and at Balgowlah in 2004.

Photo: Holy Thursday at Manly Vale, 2009.

The parish library has now gone digital. Since January 2009, the bibliographical details all of its books have been entered on computer. This will make library administration more efficient.

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


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 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..

Old-time dancing was the main focus, and prizes for the Belle and Beau of the ball, as well as a better-presented Supper Plate, were awarded. The event was sold out within a short time of its being advertised. The success of the evening has already confirmed the decision to have another such gathering henceforth.

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.

In 2007 the College conducted the Augustinian Orphanage Project (AOP) by supplying and actually building an additional dwelling named Friendship Cottage at the TMMR Orphanage in Bulacan (near Manila), Philippines, which is run by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation. (Read about it here.)

With numbers at the TMMR Orphanage increasing from 14 orphans to 30 in the meantime, The Augustinian Orphanage Project 2009 will again focus on building another cottage which will house the older orphans, allowing them to be a little more self-sufficient.  If time permits and if there are enough finances the AOP team will also build raised vegetable gardens allowing TMMR to supply their own food. A second water bore with solar power may also be built to service the gardens and the new cottage.

This year the AOP group is again led by TAS teacher Craig Jeffery (pictured).

He will take fifteen Year 10 students after they complete their School Certificate in November 2009. In contrast to 2007 when the building was prefabricated in Australia, this year’s project will see local Filipino builders prepare the site, pour the concrete slab and begin construction of concrete walls in readiness for the AOP team to complete the building.

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.

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At the beginning of the year, the parish's Social Justice Group and the local Penrith City Council invited parishioners to participate in the Sustainability Street Program for 2009. The program helps participants to cut energy usage, water usage and waste generation, and gives participants the opportunity to meet like-minded fellow-participants in their neighbourhood.

The program has involved monthly workshops of two hours' duration; these will continue until July 2009.

Thirty persons attended the most recent parish meeting of the Sustainability Street Program. The decision was made that the parish grounds will henceforth become one focus for the Program, thanks to parishioner volunteers. It is planned to create a garden of Australian flora along the church side of the parish property. This will require the construction of a garden plot fifteen metres in length and 1.5 metres in width, with a protective edging wall, 0.5 meters in height, along its entire front edge.

Should this plan prove successful, consideration will be given to providing a garden of similar dimensions along the rear of the church grounds as well.

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


Augustinian Parish, Mareeba

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 it began almost a century ago. The adjacent Dimbulah parish was added to the pastoral responsibility of the Augustinian pastor of Mareeba a number of years ago.

On Sunday, 26th April 2009 the Aboriginal Catholics of Mareeba parish invited everyone to join them in celebrating Mass at an ancient camping site of the Muluridji people, situated on the bank of the Barron River close to Biboohra (not far from Mareeba).

About thirty people attended, with Fr Rob Greenup O.S.A. presiding.

On arriving at the site the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo could be heard welcoming us to Mass. Marty Bong played for us during the liturgy as well

Lyn Harris led the singing on guitar as we sat in the sunshine under the shade of beautiful gum trees and beside the fast running water. Nearby horses shared in the celebration, and birds could be heard singing.

Billy tea and damper were shared afterwards, with the tea having the lovely “smoky” taste people have come to enjoy. A truly beautiful day.


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.

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

 

 

  
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