"THE AUGUSTINIAN" August 2003

AUGUSTINIANS WELCOME NEW BROTHER!

In making his first religious profession of vows in the Augustinian Order Minh-Tan Hoang (Tan) was welcomed into the fraternity of the Order being affiliated to the Australian Province. Tans profession took place within a joyful celebration of the Eucharist on the Solemnity of Ss Peter (Tans baptismal name) and Paul (29 June) at St Kierans Church, Manly Vale. Presiding at the liturgy was Fr Pat Fahey OSA, Prior Provincial of the Augustinians in Australia and it was he who received Tans vows.

Tans profession came at the completion of a novitiate year which involved a focused preparation for the living of Augustinian religious life. Born in Vietnam, Tans family came to Australia as refugees during his childhood. Tan went to high school at Edmund Rice College, Wollongong, completed a degree in Nursing at University of Western Sydney and was working as a registered nurse at the time he sought to find out more about religious life as an Augustinian. The values of friendship in community, sharing with others from ones relationship with God and loving service of others helped that interest to grow to the point where Tan joined the Augustinian formation programme in 2002.

In his homily, Fr Pat reminded Tan and all present that a commitment to religious life as with all Christian vocations only makes sense if it is an expression of love. In making the commitment Tan was supported by the presence of his Augustinian brothers, his parents and family, his uncle Fr Peter Tien Nguyen (PP, Albion Park) and Fr Joseph Thanh Nguyen (PP, Fairfield), the Catholic Vietnamese community and friends of Tan and the Augustinians. Tan, who lives in the Augustinian community at Brookvale, has now commenced theological studies at the Catholic Institute of Sydney in preparation for the priestly ministry.

St Augustines College - Brimson Centre

His Eminence Cardinal Edward Clancy AC will open and bless the new multi-purpose hall at St Augustine's College, Sydney on Patron's Day, August 28, 2003. To be known as the Brimson Centre - after the College's first Rector Fr David Brimson OSA - the new facility houses a new library, gymnasium, RE resource room, a weights room, offices, an Augustinian Companions Room and a chapel. The boys of St Augustine's College are already utilising the new library, known as the Augustine Resource Centre (ARC). The ARC comprises the latest IT facilities, plasma screens and video editing suites.
Cardinal Clancy will also open and bless the College's new Memorial Garden which is dedicated to the memories of past students, staff and parents who have passed away.
The Augustinian Community are invited to celebrate with us on August 28, with a Mass commencing at 9.30am. For further details please contact Moira Howie or Karen Gair at the College on (02) 9938 4088 or mhowie@saintaug.nsw.edu.au or kgair@saintaug.nsw.edu.au

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

"Brim-Full Memories" tells the story of David Brimsons 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)

News from St Augustines College - Brookvale

In May this year, Director of Mission at the College, Anthony Bataille and Director of Development, Karen Gair attended the Asia Pacific Conference for Augustinian Educators in Manila, Philippines. Here is their account:

We had only just emerged from the Manila airport terminal - feeling a little unsure of our surroundings after going through heavy airport security and a SARS check - when a small hand was securely thrust into ours. The hand belonged to an Augustinian sister - one of the many Sisters of Our Lady of La Consolacion that we were to meet in Manila. The Sisters whisked us off to a waiting van where we were greeted with more smiles and hugs. We immediately felt welcomed and it was a feeling that never left us.

With both of us being relatively new to the College (Mr Bataille had been in his job less than six weeks) the conference itself gave us a valuable lesson in the Augustinian philosophy and the history, writings and thoughts of St Augustine. We were able to share St Augustines College, Sydney with our colleagues and learn of the great work happening in the Augustinian schools in the Philippines.

Having visited many Augustinian schools and meeting many Augustinian educators we came to learn and truly appreciate how special an Augustinian education is. The common values of Veritas (Learning/Truth), Caritas (Love) and Unitas (Community) combined with a genuine knowledge of their Augustinian heritage were evident at all the schools we visited.

The highlight of our trip was being able to present a cheque for $2500.00 to the Sisters of La Consolacion Convent. The St Augustines College students raised the money during our Lenten Appeal. We were fortunate to witness the fantastic work carried out by the Sisters in their service to the street children of Manila. In particular, young Lyn-Lyn and her half brother Christian stole our hearts.

A massive thank you to all the Sisters of Our Lady of La Consolacion, the priests and our conference buddies for making us feel so welcome. The warmth, love and affection shown to us from our Filipino colleagues was unforgettable. We were affected deeply.

GIFT OF PROJECT CONTAINER FROM ST AUGUSTINES PRIMARY SCHOOL - KYABRAM TO EAST TIMOR

A brightly painted shipping container left our school, St. Augustine's P-10 School, Kyabram in term 3, 2002. It was filled with a variety of goods ranging from a portable generator to refrigerators, fans, furniture, writing paper and a variety of other things. The container was heading to East Timor and it also contained the generosity of a number of communities spread across the dioceses of Sandhurst.

Miss Brenda Keenan (then Principal of our school) came up with the idea to send a shipping container to East Timor to help the Marist Brothers in their mission to reestablish the education system in a country dealing with the aftermath of war.

The Sandhurst Catholic Education Office didnt waste any time in supporting the project and Mr. Des Tuck undertook to coordinate it. Our school became completely involved in it and we collected, stored, sorted, packed and re-packed the many donations from each school in our diocese, companies, families and individuals.

These generous gifts were lost for a little while somewhere on the wharf in Darwin. They finally reached their destination in Bacau and we know that many people are grateful for them. The project did attain its predetermined aims but it also had some unexpected results: it unified communities in Sandhurst and has given our students an opportunity to experience selfless giving modeled by all in the community.
Oronzo Farina (Principal).

Farewell to Father Tony Banks osa and Welcome to Father Peter Wieneke osa from Manly Vale Parish - Sydney

After nearly eleven years as Parish Moderator Fr Tony Banks has left the Parish to take up his new appointment as Vocations Director and assistant Formation Director. He is now based at the Provincial Headquarters at Brookvale. Good luck Father Tony, the Parish will miss you. However, we also know that one of your philosophies is that change and the introduction of "new blood" are important to keep the parish evolving and growing. In this regard we look forward to welcoming our new Moderator, Father Peter Wieneke osa.

ST THOMASS PARISH - MAREEBA

Adult Catechumenate or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

At this years Easter Vigil Mass in St Thomass Parish, six adults were fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Rosemary Greer, who sponsored one of the candidates, gives her insight into the process.

'When I was asked to be a sponsor by the RCIA team, I had mixed feelings as to whether I was good enough to do this role, but being a sponsor soon made me realize that there is more to being a Catholic than just going to Mass every Sunday. Its about faith and understanding how Gods love is with us every day of our lives, through good and bad.
Brought up in a Catholic family, I thought I knew everything about being a Catholic...was I wrong! Being part of the Adult
Catechumenate certainly taught me a lot of things - both spiritually and in theory. I met wonderful people and made lasting friendships. If ever asked to be a sponsor for the Adult Catechumenate I thoroughly recommend you to give it a go."

HOLY SPIRIT PARISH - ST CLAIR

The sanctuary furniture consisting of a new altar, lecturn and presiders chair are to be a gift from the family of Fr Paul Maloney osa to the Holy Spirit Parish in thanksgiving for the enduring bond of friendship and cooperation existing between all of its members and the Augustinian Community who began their ministry among you in 1995.

The pieces will be crafted by Mr Greg St John of 'Living With Design. Canberra.

The Augustinians
PO Box 679
Brookvale NSW 2100
Australia
Phone: 02 9905 3049
Fax: 02 9938 4465
osaadmin@bigpond.com

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