Provincial Reflection
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VOL.48, NO.2 MAY 2017 Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate Provincial Reflection I am writing this on a 6 hour stopover with two remarkable Missionaries. One at the Hong Kong International Airport was a Spanish sister, Sister Rosario who, after having the privilege of spending after almost 40 years in northern India, a week and a half in the Philippines and and other places beforehand, came to then almost two weeks in Hong Kong/ Guangzhou at the age of 74 years, and China. I say a privilege because I have after 12 years there is going strong, with spent time with Oblates from the a passion for the people and the Lord Chinese. They continued, that although Asia/Oceania region and have visited which is infectious. The other missionary they appreciated the generosity and some of the inspiring places of their is Fr David Ullrich OMI who has spent the charity of so many, they were missionary outreach. almost 40 years in the Missions – Japan, concerned that perhaps the gifts the Hispanic Community in the USA and which came from wonderful people, The Oblates, whether in Cotabato, Manila, Mexico and now, 11 in China. They did did not meet the actual needs of the Hong Kong, Beijing or Guangzhou face not want me to mention their names people. They made mention that the many challenges (and rewards) that or their story. It needs to be told and needs of the people were not always we in the first world do not experience I will seek forgiveness when I next see in response to crises, such as the as they do. We certainly have our own them. (Mind you, I did say that I would Asian tsunamis with the incredibly challenges, and rewards, particularly in give a bit of background, and they generous response of the people and an increasingly secular world. begrudgingly agreed.) Government of Australia. The needs of the people were basically based on I was fortunate to spend time with the When I asked them the question that the need to live – food, education and Oblates at an Oblate Gathering and Fr John Sherman put to me, “ The health. They did not necessarily see subsequently at each of the places of challenges of helping our missions – what that “things” needed to be sent, rather mission, also listening to their inspiring are they?”, such a question could not be money sent to missionaries who could stories. I spent some time (not enough) answered in a few words. However I will purchase what was needed and at offer to you the reflections of these two good prices. remarkable missionaries who have been touched by the Wisdom of the Lord. The Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) was one group Firstly, they said, ascertain the real needs mentioned that always met the needs of the people and not just assume that of the people. Monies sent, were we know their needs. One example sent to people (Oblates and other they both gave in different ways, was missionaries) who spent the money, receiving bundles of blankets, warm not on themselves or on administrative clothing, etc. all made in China and costs, but on the people it arriving at a great cost, to help the was meant to help. continued... MAMI Feel free to share your requests for prayers with us. As the Camberwell Community offers Mass for you each Provincial day, do feel free to name your needs either by phoning Sandra Dwyer (03 98058888) or emailing them to Reflection [email protected]. Sandra will pass them on to the Oblate Community. ...continued cover article Remembrance of our deceased of the family and friends. Praying for Another mention was made of the our deceased is part of our Catholic China Education Fund of MAMI. This tradition. The MAMI Remembrance fund helps to educate children who Certificate is a meaningful way to so often have to be taken from their offer your sympathy to the family of schools to work in the fields in order the deceased. Again Sandra can help to support the families. In these cases, arrange these for you. their formal education ends and their opportunities to further help their In addition to my ministry with MAMI, families disappear. One of many sad I am also the Oblate Coordinator of stories told was that one family sold Vocations. Working with my brother a child (AUD$ 4000) to make sure that Oblates, I journey with those in the the rest of the family could survive. initial stage of discerning a vocation as As horrible as this is, sadly, it is not a an Oblate Priest or Brother. For many once-off happening. on this journey of discernment, the CALL came through a lay person Probably, the most telling points suggesting ‘Have you ever thought made in the conversations with these From the of being a Priest and/or a Religious?’ missionaries, was that the donor Do you know someone you could say gives us the right, in trust, to choose this to? Never hesitate to contact me how the donation is used to further Director if I can be of assistance especially in the opportunities for the people and encouraging vocations. especially the kids. They believe May is a busy time as we process the that this is the greatest challenge in requests for grants from our missions God bless. supporting the Missions. As the young in China, Indonesia and throughout Fr John Sherman OMI people at our Colleges tell me, “It is the rest of Asia and Africa. Fr Peter not about us!! Daly, our Provincial has just returned from Mainland China and Hong Kong So, donation is an act of faith and visiting our communities. I am sure generosity. I encourage you to support you will find his reflection on the our missionaries, knowing that in visits interesting. While for many faith, you are helping to bring what years MAMI has assisted the work of St Eugene set out as the way of the our Beijing community, it is wonderful Missionary Oblates and their fellow to be also assisting the Guangzhou travellers – “First of all, help them to community as they work with a be fully human, then good Christians community of Chinese Sisters to and finally saints.” assist migrant children. I thank you for all that you are and Thanks to your generosity both for what you do to accompany us in through your donations and the the Mission. May the Lord continue to Christmas cards, we able to increase bless you and your families. the grants to our Indonesian missions. Register Of The Dead I am very grateful for the welcome Fr Peter Daly OMI and generosity of the Sorrento/Rye/ has been enrolled in the Oblate Register Portsea, Sefton and Fremantle parishes of the Dead and is hereby entitled to who have had MAMI APPEALS so share in 10 (ten) daily Masses, and the far this year and I look forward to the prayers of all Missionary Oblates APPEALS in Burpengary/Deception throughout the World, as long as our Bay 17/18 June, Eagle Vale 1/2 July Congregation exists. and Tea Tree Gully 12/13 August. WITH THE SYMPATHY OF: Your PRAYERS are essential for the work of our missionaries who work as St Eugene urged them ‘to make Address: people more human, then lead them to Christ and finally pray they become Date: saints.’ Please do remember that we also pray daily for all our associates Oblates of Mary Immaculate M.A.M.I. Director and those who support our mission in 649 Burke Road the Church. Each day the Camberwell Camberwell. Vic. 3124 Oblate Community celebrates Mass for our benefactors both in this life and the next. ‘Big John’s’ vocation from the CELEBRATIONS beginning focused on Indonesia. His studies at Monash University included the Indonesian language and culture. Before being officially posted to the mission, he had visited Cilacap where John he eventually joined Fr Charlie Burrows. Settling into a new culture was not easy but John’s love for the mission never O’Doherty’s waned from his arrival in October 1982. For such a tall man, there were many issues – low doorways, little legroom 50th etc. John sometimes on local transport was charged a double fare. Fortunately, he liked rice but some other foods tested him, especially taufu. Apparently this dislike came from having once seen it being made Pameran panggilan, 1999 in not-the-most-hygienic conditions. His brother Oblates teased John about his reaction to taufu. After ordination he was posted to Hillcrest Parish, South Australia from In 1984 he became parish priest of 1968 to 1970. Then he was appointed our only parish in Jakarta. This was a Director of Novices at Mulgrave. In big challenge, with living in crowded 1979 he was appointed as the new conditions with traffic jams the order Parish Priest of Rosebud on the of the day and of course the humidity Mornington Peninsula. and heat. He was the only Oblate in Jakarta and shared his ministry and life Fr. John had been anxious to join the in the parish with a Marynoll priest, Fr. John O’Doherty was born in new Australian Oblate Mission in Fr. Jim Kalchthaler MM. (RIP). As parish Brisbane on 27th April 1934 and Indonesia and, after volunteering, priest he bought a white Suzuki Jimny. attended St. Agatha’s Clayfield he arrived in Indonesia on 6th August, He enjoyed his Jimny because it had primary school and St. Columban’s 1982. great leg room and height-wise was C.B.C.