"THE AUGUSTINIAN" March 2004

An Augustinian Pilgrimage venue-San Gimignano in Italy

Numerous Australians who are associated with the Augustinians are coming to have a first-hand appreciation of an ancient Augustinian monastery at San Gimignano in Italy that in recent years has become a destination for Augustinian pilgrimage groups from Australia.

Literally built into the thirteenth-century stone wall surrounding the town of San Gimignano in the Tuscany region of Italy, the Augustinian monastery was a few years ago declared an international house of Augustinian pilgrimage and prayer, and Australian Augustinian groups have frequently been among its appreciative visitors.

The monastery itself began in the year 1280, and was added to over the centuries. It boasts the world's best-known frescos on the life of Saint Augustine, which were the work of the artist Benozzo Gozzoli in the year 1465.

The Augustinian Prior of San Gimignano is U.S.-born Fr Brian Lowery O.S.A., who gave talks on Augustine in the Augustinian parishes of Manly Vale (N.S.W.) and Coorparoo (Qld) when visiting Australia last September.

Five web pages on San Gimignano appear on the web site http://www.augnet.org To reach these pages, click through the following four levels: 1. Order of St Augustine. 2. O.S.A. History 3. O.S.A. Places. 4. Places in Europe No.4.

Rest in Peace Bishop Noel Daly DD, former Bishop of Sandhurst, Affiliate of the Order.

On 14 January, Bishop Noel Daly died suddenly though he had not been well. The Augustinians in Australia were saddened by this news. Not only had he led the diocese of Sandhurst (1979-2000) in Victoria where the Order administers the parishes of Echuca and Kyabram and previously Rochester (until 1994) but he was also a great friend.

He was a great supporter both financially and in terms of his interest in the Augustinian mission in Korea. In recognition of his support and friendship the Prior General of the Augustinians affiliated Bishop Noel to the Order in 1999.

Representing the Augustinians at the funeral of Bishop Noel at Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo were Fathers Anthony Banks (representing the Provincial), David Austin, D K O'Shea and Joseph Walsh. The Provincial, Father Pat Fahey who was attending the Assembly of the Delegation of Korea at the time, wrote to Bishop Joseph Grech (current Bishop of Sandhurst) to offer the condolences of the Augustinians.

St Augustine's College-Brookvale-GAP YEAR
Lianne Williams, Director of Development, St Augustine's College

Departing 2003 Year 12 St Augustine's student, Daniel Heys has taken the opportunity to have a 'gap year' before he commences university in 2005.He is workinga teacher's aid and helping coach the rugby teams at Glenstal Abbey College in Ireland, which is in the Tipperary district of Munster. Abbey's First XV toured Australia in 2002 and has formed a strong relationship with our College.2003 Daniel was the First XV Captain for St Augustine's which toured New Zealand and Queensland in the same year. He was also a Prefect of the College.

It is anticipated that St Augustine's will send a departing Yr 12 student over to Glenstal Abbey College every year, based on the success that Daniel has enjoyed. This opportunity can be taken up by Yr 12 students for up to 12 months prior to them entering university the following year.Also, this can be done on a 'one term swap' for Yr 10 students. St Augustine's is currently hosting a Yr 10 student from Glenstal Abbey for the whole of Term 1 this year.Donal T McCarthy is a 16 year old boy and is the house guest of the Nicol family.Yr 10 student, Jake Nicole will reciprocate in September this year and spend a term over in Ireland at Glenstal Abbey. This Yr 10 program gives our boys a wonderful opportunity to experience life in Ireland which they may never otherwise have.

St Augustine's will be actively seeking other quality schools willing to offer a similar gap year opportunity to our students.

Augustinian Novices' Gathering in KOREA
Br Minh-Tan HOANG osa

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step or should I say a single flight. In all the years since I have left my motherland on an adventure to Australia and have successfully called this country my homeland for its beauty and the warm and gracious people, this is the first time that I have travelled to a foreign land to explore a rich and impressive progressive country-Korea.

The long flight comes to an end and the moment has arrived. After the long wait, all the papers were checked and approved; I got the shock of my life. Look at all these people! 'Hey! It's not any different from Vietnam; but what are all these people saying? I'm really in a foreign land now.' I was crying out inside. I hustled myself out of the exit terminal at the busy-humid airport of Seoul-Inchon. Oh no! What have I put myself into? Where are they? Not even one familiar face among the crowd and I was feeling of the rushing blood in my veins.

"Tan" a familiar voice comes from the crowd. I look in the direction of the voice...Ah! Thank goodness there's a familiar face at last. I'm so relieved-it was Fr Michael, Br Johan (Bok Choi) and Br Thomas and we embraced each other.

Fascinated with the scenery, and once again it reminds me so much of my motherland Vietnam, especially the rice fields and the way farmers dry their crops on the edges of the road/highway. I have never in my life seen so many red hot chillies. After a short drive we arrived at St Augustine's Priory, Inchon.

The next morning was the formal welcoming for us guests, followed by Morning Prayer and attending the parish Eucharist. We got a train ride and then a short distance walk to the church. By the way the railway network is much better than Sydney-Australia, but the problem is only a few ticket clerks speak English...The rest of the day was orientation, talking and sharing our experiences. Evening falls and "chan-chi" (celebration of meals) was celebrated with all members of the community including the children from the "Norang-narang" house.

The following day was serious. The programmed outline for the 21st to 30th September was given out. Pilgrimage to the Korean Martyrs' Shrines and hiking looked interesting, by Oh NO! I have to give a talk about the Augustinians in Australia and the Catholic Church in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Martyrs' on the 26th September. How can one who is so new and had little knowledge on the subject manage all this? Thanks to my guardian angel, I have come prepared.

The time eventually came for me to head back down under. During my time in Korea I got a glimpse and a strong sense of brotherhood of the Augustinians in Korea. Especially, every morning the people of faith from the surrounding places came to celebrate the Eucharist with the community, and a couple of people would stay back for prayer. The charism of the Augustinians is very much visible in this sharing of faith. I was being challenged within myself during the time in Korea.

Mother General Re-elected at Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation 19th General Chapter

Sr Gavi Barrera osa who is part of the Chaplaincy Team at St Augustine's College, Brookvale was a delegate at the General Chapter.

Sr. Ma.Luz Mijares, OSAour present Mother Generalre-elected as Superior General of our congregation the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation on our 19th General Chapter held at La Consolacion Convent Motherhouse in San Juan Metro Manila, Philippines on November 28 to December 12, 2003. adopted theme, "The Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (ASOLC): Making a Difference in Building a Community of Peace, Compassion and Justice."

We reflected on the implications of the local, national and global situation in our Congregation's life, mission and structures. We had a prayerful and fruitful meeting of minds and hearts as we attained all our goals and objectives for the chapter.

Fr Abel van der Veer O.S.A celebrates 40 years of Priesthood

Abel was born in Leeuwarden in the Netherlands on 16 February 1936, one of eight boys The family migrated to Australia in 1952. Abel applied for admission to the Order as a candidate and was accepted on 6 May 1957. Abel was ordained in the Basilica of St. John Lateran on 22 February 1964. Since then he has been involved in many parishes, including Coorparoo, Mareeba and Cairns as well as a stint in the RAAF at Wagga Wagga and as chaplain in Malaysia for five years. He is currently at St. Kieran's Parish at Manly Vale

Above: Abel (back row, 5th from left) with an uncle and his brothers at the celebration

From Manly Vale / Balgowlah Parish

"In Touch" is the first to announce that the Catholic community of St Kieran and St Cecilia is inviting young people of tertiary study age to apply for four study scholarships valued at $250 each.

The Augustinian Order in Australia is making these study grants available in an effort to support the ministry to the youth of our parish.

These grants will enable the recipients to attend a winter intensive, 5th-8th July 2004, to be held at Thornleigh. Entitled, "Ministry with Young People in the Catholic Context", this course will be presented by international presenter and educator Dr. Charlotte.

A Current initiative at Manly Vale

BROADEN YOUR SPIRITUAL HORIZONS AND GET TO KNOW GOD BETTER!
… AND BRING A FRIEND

DISCOVER café

CATHOLIC FAITH EXPLORATION
In St. Kieran's Parish Centre every Wednesday from 5 May to 16 June from 7.30pm to 9.00pm

A CENTRE WHERE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES
The Essence of CaFE is Hospitality, Searching, Learning and Exploring the Catholic Faith.

WE ARE WAITING TO WELCOME YOU!

AUGUSTINIAN CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM 2004
2 Hewitt Avenue
Greystanes 2145
Enquiries 9896 6794
www.augustinians.org.au/communities/greystanes.html