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AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - for May 2009

You are called the faithful. Therefore, live faithfully.

Be grains of wheat. There are masses of chaff on the threshing floor, but the winnowing is going to come, the chaff will be separated, and not a single wisp of it enters the granary with you, not a single grain goes on the fire.

The one who was able to assemble you knows how to separate; you’re wrong, if you think the Lord can go wrong. He knows you, because he created you, and recreated you; you see, if he had only created you, and not recreated you, you would have gone in the lump of perdition.

Surely I’m not telling you that you won’t be able to find any Christians leading good lives. God forbid that I should have such an opinion of my Lord’s threshing floor! If that’s the case, what am I slaving away for? Keep an eye out for the good people to imitate; be good yourselves, and you’ll find them.

But if you start being bad, you will begin to believe that they’re all bad; and it’s not true, you’re deceiving yourselves. You’re looking at the threshing floor from a distance, that’s why only the chaff strikes you. Come nearer, look, fill your hands, apply the judgment of your breath; everything that is light and can fly is blown out of your hands, and what is heavy remains.

You will find good Christians, believe me; good married men being faithful to their wives; good married women being faithful to their husbands. Seek, and you will find; be good yourselves, and it won’t escape your notice. Like meets like.

St Augustine:  Sermon 26D, 2..


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.

In mid-April 2009 the parish team from North Harbour were hosted at the Centre for a two-day retreat (see photo). Such retreats with employed staff in Augustinian ministries aim to support the sense community that exists within the team as well as some nourishment for one’s spiritual journey.

For this recent retreat Augustinian perspectives on community, service, spirituality and leadership were themes at the heart of the retreat sessions. Rest, enjoying the company of others, liturgy – these were valuable elements of the retreat experience.

Coming up in May 2009 – Over the four Tuesdays in May (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) and the first Tuesday in June (2nd) Fr Paul Maloney O.S.A. will be presenting an evening course titled Apocalypse Now. The course is a reflective scripture study of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) in which Fr Paul seeks 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.

For information on or bookings for the course 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: From the lectern, St James's Church, Coorparoo.

The Easter Vigil ceremonies were celebrated in full, with the baptism of one adult and two children, as well as the reception into the Catholic Church of two sisters, one of them the mother of the two children. It has been a great experience for the Parish, and the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) team received great support from parishioners, especially those who were invited to give reflections on the Gospel, and those who accepted the challenge of sharing their understanding of particular aspects of the Faith. This year's journey will come to an end with a final Mass on 22nd May.

There are already four people expressing their interest in making the journey when RCIA recommences in September. The team will continue to meet monthly meanwhile, providing an opportunity both for the newly-welcomed members and the prospective candidates to meet with them, and for providing ongoing support.

The Parish maintains a Social Justice Forum. Its recent initiative is a presentation by Sr Pauline Coll S.G.S., on the subject of human trafficking. This presentation will take place at 7.30pm on 3rd May 2009 in the Parish Hall.

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: Good Friday 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.

The 2009 Holy Week ceremonies were marked by two special events. A very busy Good Friday concluded with an evening Tenebrae Service prepared by the local Christian Churches with good participation, especially since most in attendance had already worshipped with their own communities earlier in the day.

Music in keeping with the occasion and a series of well-chosen scripture readings were shared by members of the different churches and an address given by the Vicar of Christchurch, Rev. Richard Treloar, reflecting on the Easter event of Christ’s passion and burial from the perspective of Mary Magdalene.

The Easter Vigil had special meaning for the families of two candidates for reception into the Church and confirmation, (see photo at left), who have faithfully followed the program of the RCIA over the past year.  A well attended Easter Supper provided a fitting end to the celebrations.

The final months of the Year of Saint Paul are upon us and two events of significance for the occasion have been planned. 

Firstly, Fr Brian Buckley O.S.A. (Parish Priest) will address the Augustinian Friends and parishioners on the theme of St Augustine and St Paul; secondly, Dr Mary Coloe PBVM will speak at the end of May in the parish on the theme of St. Paul and women in the Letters.

Many friends and parishioners eagerly await the return at the beginning of May of Fr John Barry O.S.A.from his time away on Sabbatical at the beginning of May and look forward to his kindly encouragement and support of the many projects he has initiated in the parishes over many years.

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.

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Commemorating the spirit of the ANZACS the College community took part in a very moving service on Tuesday 29 April, 2009. A member of staff who is a Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve addressed the students in what it means to be a modern day ANZAC (photo at above right). Just as the ANZACS helped their fellow soldiers, he reflected on the role we can play to assist our fellow man whether by service to welfare organisations, assisting in community service or aiding our relatives, friends and peers.

Several students, wearing the medals belonging to their families, spoke to the assembly of their immense pride of great grandfathers, grandfathers, uncles and fathers involved in war. Year 12 student Jack Tier played the Last Post and Reveille on trumpet followed by the assembly enthusiastically singing the National Anthem.

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


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.

Term Two has begun with myriad curricular and extra-curricular activities. Additionally, in terms of bricks and mortar the many functions previously undertaken in the locality of the main office are, for want of greater space, now being distributed to different venues. In this process, the finance/business activities are moving to a building on Seventh Avenue.

In the recent post-Easter school holidays, Villanova hosted staff and students from its Augustinian “brother school” of St Augustine’s College, located at Brookvale (Sydney, New South Wales). This tradition of exchange visits for competitions in sports and debating began decades ago, and has fostered some friendships that have continued even after the students have completed their high school education. The visiting students were billeted by Villanova families.

Read more on the college web site at: http://www.vnc.qld.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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A task presently at hand is to formalise the operations of the parish library. Books have been available for a number of years, and it is expected that a more structured system of loans will make it possible for a greater number of people to take advantage of the library resources.

It is also hoped that an increase in the donation of library resources may be a second fruit of a greater awareness of the library’s existence.

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 June 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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