AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - October 2004

Are you a lover of peace?

Are you a lover of peace? Be still there in your heart with your beloved. "And what am I to do?" There's plenty you can do. Put a stop to wrangling, turn to prayer. Don't repel with insults someone showering you with insults, but pray for him. You want to speak against him; instead speak to God for him. I'm not telling you to keep quiet, but rather to choose carefully where you speak, in whose presence you speak while keeping quiet, your lips shut tight, your heart crying out loudly. Where that man can't see you, that's where you must be a good friend on his behalf.

But you can give this kind of peaceable answer to one who doesn't love peace, and wants to pick a quarrel: "Whatever you may wish to say, however much you hate me, detest me as you please, you are still my brother. What can you do in order not to be my brother? Whether you're good or bad, whether you like it or not, inescapably you are my brother."

And he says, "How am I your brother, O my foe, my enemy?"
"By the very fact of your saying this, you are my brother."

Sermon 357, 4

LAY CONGRESS 2004

As the month begins the Second National Augustinian Lay Congress is taking place in Brookvale, Sydney. Photos and a report will feature on next month's bulletin.

OSAAP MEETING

In late October Fr Pat Fahey osa, Provincial travels to Korea and Japan for this year's meeting of the superiors of the Order of St Augustine – Asia-Pacific (OSAAP). Such meetings enable the Augustinian jurisdiction in the Asia-Pacific to reflect on questions of common interest and further projects that can be undertaken at the regional level.

ECHUCA and KYABRAM PARISHES

The announcement of the withdrawal from these two parishes was reported in the September Bulletin Board. Since then decisions have been made in regard to the dates of withdrawal.

The Augustinians will withdraw from Echuca on 31 January 2005 and will have withdrawn from Kyabram by the end of January 2006. These withdrawals mark an end to service in the Echuca area that has been continuous since 1886 and in the Sandhurst diocese since 1875.

These withdrawals as well as the previously announced withdrawal from Goodna/Springfield ( Brisbane ) in December have been necessary with the changing personnel resources of the Augustinians. The Order shares with the people of these parishes the sadness of the withdrawals. The Order also supports the people's confidence in positively looking forward to new arrangements put in place.

ABORIGINAL CULTURE MASS IN MAREEBA

Aboriginal Mr Ernie Trevaskis from Rockhampton, who is the Deputy Chairman for NATSICC in Queensland, will be this year’s guest speaker at the annual Aboriginal Culture Mass in Mareeba. The Mass will be celebrated in St Thomas’s Church at 10.00am on Sunday 31 October with parish priest Fr Robert Greenup O.S.A. as presider.

The Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council Choir from Cairns will enhance the music and singing, with some of the hymns being sung in regional dialects and the Pamagirri dancers from Kuranda Rainforestation will lead the entrance procession, to the sounds of didgeridoos and clap sticks, following the traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony on the steps of the church. After Mass everyone is welcome to share in morning tea and fellowship on the Reconciliation lawn in the priory grounds. All are invited to share in this special celebration.

NEW DOORS FOR ST THOMAS'S PRIORY

Thanks to the lead lighting skills of Fe von Douglas, with artistic direction from Elaine Seary and installation by Bill Hornung, the glass surrounds to the front doors of the priory now feature two beautiful leadlight pelicans. According to legend, the pelican pierces its breast with its beak and feeds its young with its heart’s blood. For this reason Thomas of Villanova included a pelican in his Episcopal coat of arms as a symbol of the way in which he was to give his heart’s blood to the diocese of Valencia. As the photo shows the pelicans truly enhance the priory doors.

REST IN PEACE

Joan Keating, Sydney - affiliate of the Order (14 th September)

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

Click here to view the Leccetto Flyer (pdf)

FATHER DAVID BRIMSON

The autobiography of the late Fr. David Brimson OSA, founding rector of St. Augustine's College, Brookvale, NSW was 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.

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.

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