AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - November 2004

Love makes one truthful; panic makes one a liar

There are many chains binding the soul: love of wealth; love of power; love of the affection of wife, parents, children, brothers, and sisters; love of country; love of one's land; love of this daylight; love of any sort of life simply because it's life. So while it's being held down by these chains there comes the acid test, that if it confesses Christ, they will all be snapped.

Terrified, and tied up by so many mooring warps, afraid of being set adrift, he said in his panic, Every man a liar. Let us pardon his panic, welcome his joy ---You have burst my chains asunder. Love has made him truthful, where panic made him a liar: Look at Peter saying, with you to the death; look at him, making a promise in his presumption, uttering denials in his panic.

Thrown off balance by the question of a single maidservant, he said, I don't know him, I never have. I wonder if he didn't say straightaway, Every man a liar. But then he wept bitterly, and with his copious tears washed away the filth of his fear. And the Lord rose again, and strengthened him by the example of his resurrection. He could see that the one whose dying he had grieved over was alive. Christ wouldn't find him any longer denying him out of panic.

Why did he deny him, after all, if not because he was afraid to die, because he had no hope of resurrection? The Lord rose again, showed himself to his very eyes, confirmed him in charity by questioning him three times about love, since he had denied him three times out of fear, poured out upon him the Holy Spirit. This short life grew cheap in his eyes, endless life became the object of his love, and Peter suffered. Fear perished, love conquered. When he was questioned, Every man a liar; when he suffered, you have burst my chains asunder.

Sermon 335E, 3

AUGUSTINIAN PILGRIMAGE

Fifty religious and lay members of the Augustinian international family made a pilgrimage "in the footsteps of St Augustine" to Algeria and Tunisia on 20 - 26th September 2004. Accompanied by the Augustinian Prior General, Fr Robert Prevost, the group went to Augustine's birthplace, to Carthage and to Hippo, where the ruins of Augustine's cathedral were visited.

Two of the participants are members of the Australian Province, Fr David Austin (Echuca/Kyabram) and Fr John McGlone (Brisbane). The response to the pilgrimage was so positive that there is now a determination to repeat it in 2005 and 2006.

Fr David Austin on pilgrimage in North Africa.

FR BERNIE CONNOLLY

Fr Bernie Connolly of the Augustinian community at Manly Vale (Sydney) was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing a local street on 9th October. He received significant fractures, and will remain in the Royal North Shore Hospital for a considerable time. Please keep him in your prayers.

INTERMEDIATE CHAPTER

The Intermediate General Chapter of the Augustinian Order was held at El Escorial, Spain in mid-September, with at least one delegate attending from each Augustinian province or region internationally. The Chapter is a formal body of review that evaluates the progress at implementing the official Acts proclaimed by the General Chapter two years previously. Father David Austin was the representative of the Australian Province.

OSAAP MEETING

In late October and early November Fr Pat Fahey osa, Provincial travelled 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.

NEWCOMER TO AUSTRALIA

On 24th October the Order welcomed to Australia Fr Dominador Besares, an Augustinian from the Philippines. He has come here to assist with Augustinian ministry, and has initially been appointed to join the Order's work in St Francis Xavier Parish, Goodna (Archdiocese of Brisbane). In the Philippines he has engaged in parish ministry and chaplaincy, and recently participated in ministry to Filipino youth in Milan, Italy.

Fr Dominador Besares osa

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.

MAREEBA AND DIMBULAH NEWS

On Sunday 14 November the annual Altar Servers picnic is being held after the 10.00am Mass at St Thomas's Church, at the Mareeba Town Swimming Pool. All Altar Servers and their families are invited to come along and share in a sausage sizzle and friendship.

St Anthony's School in Dimbulah will be holding this year's Graduation Mass on Tuesday 30 November in St Anthony's church. Fr Robert Greenup O.S.A. will preside and the school students will take an active part in this special Mass. Seven students will be moving on to secondary schooling and we wish them well.

Friday 3 December is the date for this year's Graduation and end of School Year Mass for St Thomas's School. Mass will commence at St Thomas's Church at 10.00am with Fr Robert Greenup presiding and school students will take an active part in the Mass. We wish all those moving on to secondary education all good wishes for the future.

HOLY SPIRIT ST CLAIR INTERNATIONAL FIESTA & SANTACRUZAN 2004

This year Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair had their first "Parish Fiesta" celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary. Novena prayers began on 30th September at 8.00pm and continued each evening following. The novena prayers were led by parishioners and were well attended. The climax was on Saturday October 9. Prayers commenced at 4.00pm followed by a Santacruzan and procession through the parish grounds and then back into the Church. During the procession, a statue of our Lady was carried behind the children who were dressed as angels and characters from the Santacruzan. They were followed by all present, reciting the rosary and singing hymns.

(A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns and even small villages during the month of May. It was introduced by the Spaniards to the Philippines and has become part of the traditions identified with youth, love and romance. Historically, it is one of the most colourful festivals, depicting the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.)

Mass was at 6.00pm as usual, there was standing room only. The international dinner and entertainment followed. Food from different cultures was prepared by a team of parishioners and enjoyed by more than 600 people.

During the entertainment there were items from various cultures, items included an Aussie rendition of "Home among the Gum Trees", the Filippino Bamboo Dance, the Youth of the parish did a number from "Grease". Food had the same multicultural theme.

"The novena was prayerful, the procession was colourful, the Mass was crowded, the food was tops and the entertainment was great." Fr Peter Tangey

REST IN PEACE

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

LECCETO COMMUNITY 2005

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