AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - January 2004

Let us celebrate the birthday of the form of a slave

Until Christ shows us what can suffice us, until we drink him, the fountain of life, and are satisfied; for the time being as we walk by faith and are wondering in exile from him, while we are hungering and thirsting for justice, and longing with an ardour beyond words for the beauty of the form of God, let us express our allegiance by devoutly and loyally celebrating the birthday of the form of a slave. We cannot yet contemplate how he was begotten before the day star by the Father, so let us crowd in to congratulate him on being born of the virgin in the middle of the night. We cannot yet grasp how his name endured before the sun; let us at least acknowledge that he has pitched his tent in the sun. We cannot yet gaze upon the Only-begotten abiding in his Father; let us recall the bridegroom coming forth from his chamber. We are not yet fit and ready for our Father's banquet; let us honor the manger of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon 194, 4

LECCETO COMMUNITY 2004

The Augustinians annually invite young people to come together and form a community based around the ideals and the Rule of Life established by St Augustine in the fourth / fifth century. These values are timeless in their application and are good for men and women who want to come together in mutual respect to spend time with others intent upon their God and seeking unity of heart and mind. The community caters for people in the workplace and for those who are taking time off from work for fulltime studies. Using common funds and setting time aside in busy lives for prayer, contemplation and service the community nurtures each other and challenges each one as to their ability to be there for others and for God. Please contact Fr Tony Banks osa who will guide the community in 2004. You will also be supported by the Augustinian sisters and brothers in the Brookvale area.

Fr Tony is available on
Phone: (02) 9938 0207
Mobile: 0418 200 410
E-mail: tonybanks@augustinians.org.au

RECONCILIATION AWARD

Fr Brian Fitzpatrick O.S.A., Moderator of the Goodna parish within the Archdiocese of Brisbane, in September accepted on behalf of the Purga Elders and the Goodna Rotary Club two Reconciliation Awards from the Queensland state government.

From over fifty contenders, the Purga Matching Grant Project was awarded first prize in two categories: The major overall category - the Premier's Reconciliation Award for Businesses, and the Reconciliation Award for Joint Ventures.

The Reconciliation Awards were introduced to encourage reconciliation initiatives with a focus on sustaining "good will", promoting employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the private sector and to recognize and encourage business that work with indigenous communities to develop business enterprises.

The Reconciliation Awards are about the relationships that grow, the trust that develops and the shared learnings and experiences that underpin the journey. In a word, the awards highlight not the project itself, but more the collaborative manner in which it was conducted throughout, involving the active participation of the Purga Elders and the Aboriginal community.

In Goodna Rotary, Fr Brian is the International Service Director and the Coordinator of the Purga Matching Grant Project, for which the government awards were given.

In an initiative that began three years ago Fr Brian coordinated a Goodna Rotary matching grant with the Rotary Club of Ishioka (Japan) and Rotary International. An amount of A$46,000 was used to assist the Purga (Aboriginal) Elders to develop an educational facility leading to employment opportunities for indigenous people.

Goodna Rotary provided and installed an irrigation system including five pumps, three large water storage tanks and a small submersible tank. They also provided a Pecan Grove and a computerized micro-irrigation system for the nursery, pecan grove and for a future bush tucker trail. To ensure the viability of these facilities and a planned Cultural Educational and Entertainment Centre, they also upgraded the electricity supply to a three-phase level.

Brian has been a member of Rotary for the past eleven years, a period that extends back to his previous parish appointment at Echuca, Victoria

Minister Judith Spence, Fr Brian Fitzpatrick osa,
and the Hon Peter Beattie.

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.

The autobiography of Fr. David Brimson OSA, founding rector of St. Augustine's College, Brookvale, NSW., published in May 2003.

"Brim-Full Memories" tells the story of David Brimson's childhood in Brisbane, his youth during the Second World War, entry and training in the Augustinian Order and his eventful life as a priest.

Now in retirement at Nazareth House, Brisbane, David Brimson has looked back over his long experience of ministry and given us this interesting story in 56 pages, supported by numerous photographs.

Cost is $14 incl. postage in Australia.
Order from Augustinian Press, P.O. Box 679, Brookvale NSW 2100 (osaadmin@bigpond.com.)

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.

MAREEBA AND DIMBULAH NEWS
Santo Nino Feast Day, Mareeba

At the Santo Nino Committee meeting held recently at St Thomas's Church, Marreba, Rose Vallier was elected president, Sari Marsovary vice-president, Fe von Douglas treasurer and Andrea Woffenden secretary. These four ladies are now busy with preparations for the twentieth annual fiesta of Senor Santo Nino de Cebu, which will be held on Sunday 18 January starting at 10.00am with Mass at St Thomas's Church. The celebrant will be Fr Robert Greenup OSA.

After Mass a short procession of the statue of Santo Nino will take place in the school grounds, followed by a shared meal of delicious Filipino foods and delicacies. Everyone is invited to join in this special celebration. In preparation for the festival a novena with the rosary and other prayers will be held in St Thomas's each day from Friday 9 January to Saturday 17 January.

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 2004
2 Hewitt Avenue
Greystanes 2145
Enquiries 9896 6794
www.augustinians.org.au/communities/greystanes.html

Fr Pat Fahey osa, Provincial, on behalf of all the Augustinians in Australia wishes all our visitors a happy and blessed New Year.