"THE AUGUSTINIAN" December 2004

'In the Footsteps of St Augustine'

Ruins of the Basilica of Peace in Hippo, where Augustine was Bishop, with the Basilica of St Augustine in the background overlooking Annaba, Algeria.

Some experiences in our lives challenge our view of reality and of how the world is. My recent trip to Spain and North Africa was such an experience. To commemorate the 1650th Anniversary of the birth of St Augustine, I joined the Augustinian pilgrimage to Tunisia and Algeria, where Augustine was born, studied and ministered as priest and bishop.

Both Tunisia and Algeria are predominantly Muslim and this may explain the apprehension felt by some of those Augustinians and lay friends who were making the pilgrimage. The increase in terrorism in our world and the growing militancy of some fundamentalist groups are a source of fear. How will it feel to spend time in a Muslim country? was a question on the minds of many.

For myself, I can truthfully say that I came to feel at ease and at home in these countries. Why? Because people's faith was evident. I often woke around 5.00am to the Muslim call to prayer. Islamic faith was so important to many whom we met, including one of our guides with whom I enjoyed many a conversation on faith and life. Perhaps it was because these were Augustine's 'people' who were making us so welcome and who seemed to have a genuine respect for our Christian faith too. This was very obvious in Souk Ahras (Tagaste), where Augustine was born. There, we were welcomed as brothers and sisters in faith by people who are so proud of their native son and his mother Monica.

We live in an age where dialogue between Christianity and Islam must take place. This is not always the way promoted by world political leaders, but I am reassured by the teaching of the Second Vatican Council in Lumen Gentium 16: 'The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.'

Augustinians minister in Algeria today, not far from the ruins of Hippo Regius and the Basilica of Peace. There, where Augustine preached over 16 centuries ago, we read from Sermon 340, 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian...' - at the same moment as the muezzin's voice boomed out across the city, calling the Muslims to midday prayer. I sensed at that moment the deep challenge our world faces, the challenge of understanding, dialogue, acceptance and mutual respect.

Dave Austin OSA

AUGUSTINIAN SECOND NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE LAITY
1-3 October, Brimson Centre, St Augustine's College, Sydney, Australia

Fr Frank Doyle osa, Mrs Anne Halloway and Mr Angelo Molino

On Friday, 1st October, 90 people from around Australia gathered together to celebrate the Second National Congress for the Augustinian Laity. The first had taken place in Echuca in 2001.

As people walked into the impressive Brimson Centre, they were greeted with a stage decorated with a range of old travelling trunks and other items symbolising the physical journey that many people had taken to get to Brookvale. People had travelled from many places around Australia: Coorparoo, Mareeba, Echuca, Tongala, Kyabram, South Yarra and many places around Sydney.

Fr Frank Doyle generously gave up his time to make, by far, the longest journey from North Carolina to be with us. Over the course of the day on Saturday, we were privileged to listen to Fr Frank Doyle speaking on the topic "Travelling Together on the Way to One's Heart." Fr Frank set before us the challenge of constantly moving forward on our Faith Journey.

Angelo Molino, from the Salesian Lay Order, The Co-operators, gave us an insight into their particular mission and how they carry their work out. It was fascinating to hear how other groups are responding to their Call from God.

Anne Halloway then spoke about the many times when God has spoken to her through Augustine's word. It was a very personal and moving talk that everybody could relate directly to their own lives.

Sunday's Program started with "The Travelling Song" that was written by Stella Baihn, a committee member. It was a perfect beginning to a wonderful day.

Again, Fr Frank Doyle spoke to our hearts and left us with much food for thought. His topic was on the Eucharist and centred on the theme "See Who You Are and Become What You See." Following this, Bishop David Walker and Kate Englebrecht each spoke to us about Lay Spirituality from two different perspectives: A Bishop's perspective and A Family perspective.

Throughout the Congress, many people commented to me on how much they enjoyed the discussion time that followed each talk. Each afternoon, a Panel Session took place where speakers had the chance to answer questions and talk about a variety of topics.

On Sunday afternoon, we had the Congress Mass. We were lucky enough to be joined by the St Kieran's Choir.

The feedback from participants has been terrific! Many friendships were formed and will continue to grow, I'm sure. The idea that we had come from many different places but all had a similar desire to deepen our faith, our understanding of ourselves and of God in our lives was inspirational to many of us. The Congress was a huge success!

Ursula Halloway

WELCOME TO OZ!

On 24th October the Order welcomed to Australia Father Dominador Besares, an Augustinian from the Philippines.

Ordained in the Philippines twenty-two years ago, Fr Dominador has engaged mainly in parish ministry and chaplaincy in his homeland, and recently volunteered to assist the Italian Augustinians with their ministry to Filipino youth in St Rita's Parish, Milan, Italy.

He has completed a four-year full-time Master of Fine Arts degree program in Manila, and has taken part in arts exhibitions at the Museo Iloilo and the Museo San Agustin at Intramuros, Manila. His preferred medium is oil painting, and his notable subject has been his representation of Saints Augustine and Monica as Visayans (native people of Iloilo.)

Fr Dominador has come to Australia to assist with Augustinian parish ministry. He has initially been appointed to join the Order's work in St Francis Xavier Parish, Goodna (Archdiocese of Brisbane).

A TV debut as a Colonial Priest

Fr Paul Maloney of the Augustinian community at Greystanes (Sydney) may be making TV history in more than one sense of the word next year. He was approached to write and to portray the role of a priest visiting settlers on the rural outskirts of the convict colony of New South Wales almost exactly 200 years ago.

The TV production entitled "The Colony" will be telecast on SBS Television in February 2005. It is a historical "reality" production that follows the lives of a number of modern-day
families who were willing to live as closely as possible to the lifestyle of small landowners out beyond Parramatta 200 years ago.

Father Maloney, "on camera" as a fictitious visiting priest, tells one of the families (who in real life are Irish and Catholic) the conditions of Catholicism in the colony at the time. This was the period after Irish convict rebellion at Castle Hill, when ministry by Catholic priests was forbidden for over a decade.

Because of himself having had ancestors in early Sydney, Father Paul was very much taken up by the "role play." He said that it gave him a real sense of the struggles of settlers who were Catholic in that bigoted and oppressive convict society. But he quickly added that, as much as he liked "acting", he has no intention of giving up his "day job" at the Centre for Augustinian Spirituality at Greystanes!

A Tribute to Mother Teresita Villaluz, OSA

by Gavina Barrera, osa

Father Pat Fahey, OSA flew to Manila, Philippines last September and attended Mo. Terry's funeral Mass and interment at the Augustinian Sisters' Cemetery at La Loma, Quezon City.

Mother Teresita Villaluz was the former general of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation. It was during her term as a general that the conception of the sisters' mission in Australia started and was implemented in Sr. Ma. Luz Mijarez time.

Margaret McElhone - St Augustine's College

Margie McElhone started her teaching career at St Augustine's College in the Primary Department and was employed by Fr Dave Austin osa. At the time, she didn't really know much about Augustine or the Augustinians.

After being at the College for about a year, Fr Michael Endicott osa asked her to attend an evening about an International Augustinian Youth festival that had been held in Lecceto, Italy. With five others, she listened to the experiences the boys had had in Italy. By the end of the night, the group wanted to know why they couldn't do something like that for the Australian Augustinian Youth. The next thing they knew they were organising the Inaugural Australian Augustinian Youth Festival to coincide with the Augustinian's sesquicentenary in Australia. The event was a great success and that core group went on to coordinate and assist with another three Australian Augustinian Youth Festivals.

Early in her teaching at St Augustine's she started organising masses for the Primary boys. This grew to a role, organising all the Religion in the Primary. With the introduction of the Middle School in 2000, the role was extended to include years seven and eight.

In 2003 she spent ten days in Italy, on a whirlwind Pilgrimage to many significant Augustinian sites. This made her realise the extent and history of this Augustinian community of which she was a member.

Now in 2004 Margie is looking forward to an exciting new challenge as she takes on the role of the Director of Mission at the College. People ask what the role means. Briefly, it's overseeing all aspects of the Religious Dimension of St Augustine's College. Earlier this year she attended a staff retreat at the Augustinian Spirituality Centre at Greystanes. Fathers Laurie Mooney and Paul Maloney deepened Margie's knowledge of Augustine and the world Order. Paul mentioned Augustinian Friends - An association for lay people in Australia who seek participation in Augustinian Spiritualty and wish to formalise their connection with the Augustinian World Family. The Second National Congress was held at St Augustine's College, Brookvale in October and Margie was invited to become a member.

People often ask why she has been at the same school for so long. Margie's answer seems an obvious one to her. "The Augustinians are good people; they care about their community and all who come in contact with it. An Augustinian community is welcoming, supportive and allows people to be the best they can be. What better environment could I work in!"