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AUGUSTINIAN BULLETIN BOARD - February 2005

Difference between eternity and time

It is the task of Christians daily to make progress toward God, and always to rejoice in God or in his gifts. For the time of our pilgrimage, our wandering in exile, is extremely short, and in our home country time does not exist. There is a considerable difference, after all, between eternity and time. Here devotion is required of you, there you take your rest. For that reason, like good traders, let us note every day how we have gotten on, what profit we have made. You see, we have to be not only attentive at listening, but vigilantly active as well. This is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, ones who are keen in attendance, not ones who play truant. The apostle says, Unflagging in keenness, fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope. So in this school, brothers, we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds, material for our studies.

St Augustine , Sermon 16A, 1

 

THE LATE FR. THOMAS TEVINGTON, O.S.A.

On 8 th December 2004 the death occurred in Ireland of Fr Tom Tevington O.S.A., who served in eight Augustinian parishes in the three eastern mainland states of Australia at various times over a thirty-five year period. Last year he was ninety-five years old, which made him at the time of his death the longest-living Augustinian who has ever served in Australia. (Others with longevity included Fr Joseph Phelan who died at the age of ninety-three years in 1973, and Dean Charles O’Hea who died in 1903 at the age of ninety years)

Fr Tevington’s Australian appointments were as follows:

  • Cairns: 1935 to 1937
  • Herberton: October 1937 to October 1938
  • Innisfail: October 1938 to January 1940
  • Babinda: 1940
  • Cairns (St. Monica’s Parish): 1941 to July 1946
  • Innisfail: April 1947 to 1952
  • Echuca, Victoria: 1952 to 1956

(He was overseas from 1956 to 1965)

  • Cairns ( St Joseph’s Parish): 1965 to 1966
  • Manly Vale ( Sydney): 1966 to 1967
  • Mareeba: January to February 1968
  • Echuca: February 1968 to 1970

May Fr Tom Tevington rest in peace.

 

AUGUSTINIANS FAREWELL ST MARY’S PARISH, ECHUCA

St Mary's Church, Echuca Thank You
St Mary's Church, Echuca
 

The parish community of St Mary’s Echuca farewelled the Augustinian Order with celebrations commencing on Friday 28 th January 2005 and ending on Sunday 30 th January. Augustinians from within Australia attended the wonderful celebrations.

Two weeks earlier, administration of the parish had been handed to priests of the local Sandhurst Diocese by the Augustinian Order, which had staffed St Mary’s for the previous 118 years.

On Friday, 28 th January there was a social gathering in the parish hall, which contained display of parish memorabilia. The president of the parish council, Mrs Ann Kotsiakos, made a parish presentation of a redwood table to the Augustinians, and Fr Patrick Fahey O.S.A. (Provincial) addressed the gathering in reply. A formal dinner followed, at which the Most Rev Joseph Grech (Bishop of Sandhurst) and sixteen Augustinians from as far away as Brisbane were the guests of the parish.

On Saturday morning the Augustinians gathered for prayer at the graves of three Augustinians interred at the Echuca Cemetery. At a concelebrated Mass on the Sunday morning, 30 th January words of welcome to the Augustinians were spoken by Fr Matthew O’Hagan, the incoming parish priest. Bishop Grech was the principal concelebrant, and delivered the homily. (The bishop’s homily of 30 th January may be found on the Internet at
www.sand.catholic.org.au/homiliesindex.html )

Ann Kotsiakos again spoke, and this time as her theme reminded the Augustinians of Augustine’s encouraging words, “Go where He leads, you the faithful messengers. Let your light shine out….…” Father Pat Fahey then replied on behalf of the Order, and especially thanked the three Augustinians who have most recently served in Echuca: Frs David Austin, Joseph Walsh and Patrick Bourke. The Mass concluded with the entire congregation blessing the Augustinians in a prayerful farewell.

St Mary's, Echuca
One last look behind… In the distance, St Mary’s Church, Echuca, and nearest the camera St Mary’s Presbytery (formerly St Mary’s Priory).

 

MAREEBA AND DIMBULAH NEWS

FEAST OF SANTO NINO – ST THOMAS’S CHURCH, MAREEBA

Thanks to the great efforts of the Santo Nino Committee, (Rose Vallier, Sari Marosvary, Fe von Douglas and Andrea Woffenden) and the many other dedicated helpers, a wonderful celebration was held on Sunday 16 January at St Thomas’s Church.

The focus of the feast is on the child Jesus, who together with Mary and Joseph, lived quietly and humbly in preparation for his redemptive mission in the world.

Mass began at 10.00am with Fr Rob Greenup O.S.A. as presider. Hymns were sung in both English and Filipino language with many people travelling from throughout the diocese for this special celebration. Following Mass a procession, carrying the statue of Santo Nino, went around the church and school grounds. Many then stayed to share in a beautiful meal prepared by the Filipino community

 

ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE BROOKVALE

Al FabriThe Passing of Al Fabri

It was with great sadness that the staff and students of St Augustine’s College, Sydney saw the passing of their friend, colleague and loved maintenance man Al Fabri recently.

Al passed peacefully into eternal life on the evening of 24 th January, 2005. His son Chris had been at his side for some weeks while Al was in Manly Hospital and then Greenwich Hospital. He was also visited by many of St Augustine’s staff members over the Christmas holidays once word was passed that he was in hospital.

Al was the maintenance man at the College for the past 23 years. He was loved and respected by all the students of the College as well as his co workers. Born in Rome, Al moved to Australia with his family in his 20’s and came to work for the College in 1982.

In July last year he returned to Rome to visit his sister who had not seen for nearly 30 years. Upon his return, his health had started to deteriorate, but Al insisted on continuing his work at the College “there is nothing wrong with me!” and ”when He calls me I will come” Al would say at the top of his voice as he looked towards the sky.

A Requiem Mass to celebrate Al's life was held in the Brimson Centre on Wednesday 2 nd February at the College for all staff, students and Al’s family members. His son Marko who traveled from the UK also attended. He will be missed immensely by all.

Al was recently affiliated to the Order of St Augustine by the Prior General,Very Rev Robert Prevost OSA.

In Pace Christi

Augustinian Ministry Websites

 

AUGUSTINIAN CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM 2005
2 Hewitt Avenue
Greystanes 2145
Enquiries 9896 6794
www.augustinians.org.au/communities/greystanes.html

 

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