AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - June 2003

Christ has rubbed smooth the road

Follow the Lord where to? Where he went, we know perfectly well; we solemnly celebrated that occasion only a very few days ago. He rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven; that's where we are to follow him to. Obviously we mustn't despair about getting there - but because he made us the promise, not because we mere human beings can manage it on our own. Heaven was a long, long way away from us before our head had gone up to heaven. Now, though, what reason have we to despair, if we are the body and limbs of that head? So that's where we have to follow him. And who wouldn't want to follow him to such a residence? Especially because we are beset with so many fears and griefs on earth. Who wouldn't want to follow Christ there, where total happiness reigns, total peace, perpetual security? It's good to follow him there, but we have to see by what road.

After all, the Lord Jesus didn't speak these words after he had risen from the dead. He hadn't yet suffered; the cross was still to come, still to come also was the dishonour, the abuse, the scourging, the thorns, the wound, the insults, the taunts, death. The road is exceedingly rough, it makes you very reluctant, you don't want to follow. Follow, all the same. The roughness is what we human beings have made for ourselves, but Christ by coming back has trampled it down till it is rubbed smooth.

Sermon 96, 3

Rest in Peace.

Father Phillip Kehoe osa
24th February 1918 to 27th May 2003
Brisbane, Australia
A tribute to Fr Kehoe will appear in the next bulletin board.

• The Augustinians in Australia happily announce that Minh-Tan Hoang will profess his first religious vows in the Order within a celebration of Mass at St Kieran's Church Manly Vale at 12 noon on Sunday 29 June 2003. You are most welcome to attend this celebration. For further details contact Kay Stenner, Augustinian Office, 9905 3049 (Office hours Monday to Thursday).
  
  
• INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING - GUADARRAMA, SPAIN (near Madrid) 30TH JULY - 5 AUGUST 2003
  
  Augustinian youth gatherings are for people aged 18-28 who have a connection with the Order of St Augustine and who wish to explore their spiritualty in an encounter with people from across the world.
  
  They continue a tradition of encounter and prayer. In light of September 11 and the present troubles in our world the accent in 2003 is on justice in our time and the hope that common purposes, hearts set together on God, and the ministry of the members of our Church across the world might set a better hope for the future. These are themes dear to the hearts of all Augustinians.
  
  For further information please contact Fr Tony Banks osa.
  Email: skabanks@ozemail.com.au
  
  
• ST AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE, BROOKVALE (SYDNEY)
  
  now bringing to completion a new multi-purpose hall on the northern boundary of the college property.
  
  To be known as the Brimson Centre in honour of the founding Rector (Principal) of the College Fr David Brimson OSA, the new hall is a AUS$4.2 million (US$2.0 million) project that will provide students with a much-needed hall for assemblies and Masses.
  
  It will also house the college library, to be known as the Augustinian Resource Centre and to have the latest multimedia hardware and software.
  
  As well, its first-class facilities will provide for indoor sports, drama productions and musicals. The Brimson Centre will be blessed and officially opened on St Augustine's feast day, 28th August 2003
  
  
• FATHER DAVID BRIMSON
  
  A member of the "eighty-something" generation, Father David is presently being very active in his retirement in southern Brisbane, Queensland. He recently completed his memoirs, entitled A Brim-full of Memories, which the Australian Augustinian Province is publishing privately.
  
  On 28th August 2003, the newest building at St Augustine's College in Brookvale, New South Wales will be blessed and named the Brimson Centre in his memory. Because he is unable to make the journey to attend the ceremony, he has been videotaped saying a prayer of blessing that will be used at the official dedication ceremony.
  
  When the video crew arrived to videotape him at Nazareth House, where Fr David lives in retirement, the rumour spread that he must receiving a knighthood. In the history of St Augustine's College, of which he first opened the doors in 1956, he is a gallant knight!
  
  
• MAREEBA AND DIMBULAH NEWS
  
  Bishop James Foley will be in our parishes on the weekend of 7/8 June to celebrate Confirmation. In St Thomas's Confirmation will take place during the usual 6pm Mass on Saturday 7 June and during the usual 10.00am Mass on Sunday 8 June. Forty young people will be confirmed by the Bishop assisted by Fr Rob Greenup O.S.A.
  
  In St Anthony's Confirmation will be during Mass commencing at 2.30pm on Sunday 8 June. (The usual 8.00am Mass will not be celebrated.)
  
  The Feast of St Anthony will be celebrated in Dimbulah on Sunday 15 June. Celebrations will begin with Mass at 3.00pm with Fr Rob Greenup O.S.A. presiding. Following Mass there will be a procession, barbecue and pesca held in the school grounds. Everyone is welcome. (The usual 8.00am Mass will not be celebrated.)
  
  
• AUGUSTINIAN COMMUNITY, MAREEBA
  
  The Augustinians have a long and rich association with the Diocese of Cairns. It began with the arrival of Fr John Hutchinson O.S.A. and his two companions at Cooktown in 1884.
  
  Subsequently, the Augustinian presence extended to all the existing mainland parishes of the Diocese. Today, however, the Parishes of Mareeba and Dimbulah are the only parishes in the Diocese, which are still served by the Augustinians.
  
  With this background, St Thomas's Priory, Mareeba is now offering an opportunity for single men to experience a period of simple community life in the Augustinian tradition with time for prayer, parish work, recreation and personal pursuits.
  

For further information contact:

Robert Greenup O.S.A.
PO Box 308,
Mareeba, Queensland 4880
Phone: 07 4092 1077
Fax: 07 4092 3170
Email: stthomas@ledanet.com.au

AUGUSTINIAN CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM 2003
2 Hewitt Avenue
Greystanes 2145
Enquiries 9896 6794
www.augustinians.org.au/communities/greystanes.html