MARCH 2021 Volume 36 - No 1

WHAT’S INSIDE

1. Thank you from the editor Fostering Community Awareness 2. Somaliland – Is that a Country? & Communication 3. What are your plans for 2021? 4. Andrew and Amelia Mitchells Wedding Day 5. Baptism Welcoming’s 6. Alpha – What do you think is the meaning of life? 7. Fr Frank O’Dea 11. What are your plans for 2021? 12. This is our life – Jean & Ron Smith 13. Vale – Mia Buskes 14 Vale - Gloria Thomas Josh Whitmore 15. What are your plans for 2021? 16. Midlife Crisis 17. What are your plans for 2021? 18. More Respectful coverage – 19. Richard Rohr – Our Cosmic Mother 20. Sudoku 21. Children’s Page 22. Out of Touch – 24. Fr Pedro Opeka 25. Finding Time 26. What are your plans for 2021? 27. Something that might interest you 27. Meet the 107 year old 28. Divine Mercy 30 Life in Isolation Around the parish 31. Affirming Human Dignity for all 32. Halki Summit – Creation and Pandemic This Lent Remember Project Compassion 33. Homily for 5th Sunday - CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU 35. Winter Shelter Rogers Birthday 36. What are your plans for 2021? WHO IS MY BROTHER? 37. See, Hear, Act – Project Compassion Lord, help me to see those around me as my 40. Open to Conversion – brothers and sisters and to have the courage to 41. What’s it like growing up work through our differences. Amen disabled in Australia? 42. Gloria Thomas Tribute - Zak Wilmore Thank you to Ian Stuart for providing another of his beautiful photos. 43. Fr Peter Robinson 44. TRY ALPHA ONLINE 2 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Thank You from the Editor My usual thanks to all of you who have so generously responded to the I found the very moving eulogies, given so lovingly by both Mia’s call and submitted copy and photos for this edition of The Spirit. granddaughters and two of Gloria’s grandsons a very sobering reminder of just what an important role we as grandparents can play in the lives How wonderful it is to have Baptism Welcomings happening again. of our grandchildren. I for one will be endeavoring to be “more” to my Weddings and funerals, without extremely limited numbers adding to grandchildren after hearing these wonderful young people speak. the stress of losing loved ones. Obviously we are not out of the woods Thank you to all four of you for sharing the love and joy of your Oma yet with Covid, but we are adapting to a more “Covid normal” life, and and Grandmother with us. hopefully a lot more appreciative of the life we have. We offer our communities condolences to all who are bereaved, you The past quarter has seen the deaths of several well-known and loved may not be aware, but you are held in out thoughts and prayers. people associated with our parish. Fr Frank O’Dea, who contributed on a regular basis to The Spirit and who provided masses for us for many To all of you who are battling ill health, you too should know you are years. A truly remarkable man as his life story will show. not forgotten and that thoughts and prayers are directed your way every day. Robert O’Sullivan, the quiet husband of Philomena who was a stalwart of the parish in her time. Losing Phil would have been a huge loss but My apologies for this edition being late “on the streets”, I had an Robert continued on with his quiet good grace and humour for all unexpected chance to spend some time with my siblings and thought I those years since her death. would have had it proofed and to the printers before I left, but “the best laid plans of mice and men” etc. Mia Buskes, another of our inspirational parishioners, making a life for herself after the loss of her beloved husband, and one of her sons – I do hope you enjoy reading it throughout this Lenten season, and that The sort of courage that can and should inspire us all. Never giving up, Easter is a season of renewal for you all. never giving in to the poor me’s. Take care, and stay safe and well. Losing Gloria Thomas came as such a shock to all, her family, friends and fellow parishioners alike – Some of us still cannot believe she has gone from us. Helen Konynenburg

THE SPIRIT MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR Editor: Helen Konynenburg Email: [email protected] Publisher: Minuteman Press Mitcham Email: [email protected] Cover photo courtesy of Ian Stuart for which we thank him. The contents of this magazine are printed in an effort to support community awareness and communication and do not necessarily represent the views of the editors, our Parish Priest, or the people of the Holy Spirit Parish. Average circulation 700 copies - Not for profit NOW AVAILABLE IN FULL COLOUR ONLINE: http://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/TheSpiritMagazine.aspx Printed by Minuteman Press Mitcham - 152 Rooks Road, Nunawading, Vic, 3131. Phone: 9873 2888 www.mitcham.minutemanpress.com.au Closing date for next edition: 18TH MAY 2021 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 3

Somaliland? IS THAT A COUNTRY? Somaliland. I certainly had not heard of it, most people know about diaspora coming back from locked down UK will bring the virus with Somalia and the troubles with Al Shabaab and pirates and is certainly them. We will see what happens but there is not much optimism of not a tourist destination despite the coastal location. Somaliland is stopping things if major outbreaks begin and vaccines being a while a self-proclaimed nation, with its own passport etc. Unfortunately, away only once other countries are finished and then dealing with the rest of the world does not recognise this and as such there are issues of not being a recognised nation. issues with UN aid programs and international investment, which is Other curiosities include seeing camels on the street on the walk to supposed to be distributed through Somalia’s government. work and liver (goat or camel) for breakfast. Despite having terrible, dusty roads, the most popular car is the 2003 Toyota Yaris (costs about $5k) and oddly, they drive (mostly) on the right-hand side, despite the driver also being on the right-hand side (Australian/ British cars), which no doubt leads to the high risk of road accidents.

Otherwise, 5 months to go in this strange place, in what has been a good experience so far living out a dream I have had to do this type of work. Looking forward to seeing the Holy Spirit community again soon and if anyone has any questions about Somaliland or MSF or anything else, do not hesitate to get in contact.

Go Eagles!

By Luke Brouwer (13th February 2021) I have been living in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, for about a month and will be here for six months, working as a Construction Manager for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), an international non-government organisation. The country has high rates of Tuberculosis and the building project is part of a mission to support the local Ministry of Health workers in the hospitals.

Hargeisa is a quirky place, quite peaceful compared to many places in the region but still with issues like poor roads, suspect housing conditions and general corruption at every level. For an expat, quality of life is quite good, with our luxurious guesthouse in the ‘Beverley Hills’ of Hargeisa, with a nice night-time view of the city and not a cloud to be seen, with days 28°C and nights being about 10°C.

It is a fully Islamic nation and as such it means I get woken up at 5am by the nearby Mosque’s Call to Prayer, head scarfs are compulsory for woman and pants are required in public (no shorts for my runs which is of slight inconvenience comparatively). There are no bars or alcohol, so the local choice is ‘Khat’, which is popular in the region and are ketamine leaves, which you see mostly men chewing for hours and is imported every morning from Ethiopia. Otherwise, there are many restaurants with local Somali being most common, with Ethiopian, Yemeni and Djibouti cuisines common with a meal at the top restaurants being $12USD.

In terms of COVID, we wear masks in cars, at the Tuberculosis hospital and in the office but the general population is ignoring the issue. Driving past or at the market, locals yell out, ‘there is no COVID-19’ and laugh, which is very different to Melbourne. Cases are low (maybe 10 per week), but testing is pretty non-existent, with only people wanting to travel coming for tests. The main concern is that variants present in African nations are getting closer and the 4 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

What are your plans for 2021? TINA TOOMEY

Fun: I will grab every opportunity available to me. See more live If you had the power what would you change? I would make see shows, visit different places. Try different restaurants and get away through facemasks, so I can see people’s smiles! as much as we can. Visit friends and family. Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully able to travel Family: I will to continue to keep the flow of communication up, overseas, but if not - happy to cover most of this Great Southern checking up on everyone to see how they are faring. Family dinners Land (if we can!). and gatherings will be on top of my list. What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? Not really, only overseas Technology explosion, things being invented like we have never travel. I can manage everything else. seen before. Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19? What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050 … Definitely better! I truly appreciate more now and realise that my life can change in a second. CHINA, USA, INDIA.

How do you see the Australian Community at this time? If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/who or what do you think would be his/her first priorities? Very well. I think most of us have learnt to make sacrifices. Our tolerance levels have risen and in general I feel most people are I feel Jesus would be the same as His first coming. His message of kinder. love has slowly diluted through the ages and we need Him again to show us The Way, The Truth and The Light. Do you think we are a just society? I think we all need to be a little more generous with our free time and finances to help those who feel lonely, poor or struggling. There seems to be more people in need either emotionally or just coping with life.

Holy Spirit Community School www.hsringwoodnth.catholic.edu.au 120 Oban Road, North Ringwood 3134 Email administration: [email protected] Phone: 9876 1103 Prep Grades 1/2 Grades 3/4 Grades 5/6

Our school is committed to our childrens safety. We adhere to the CECV commit- ment statement to child safety and fol- low a “safe guard- ing children code of conduct” Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 5

Andrew & Amelia Mitchell WEDDING DAY

Wedding: 2nd January, 2021 By Andrew & Amelia Mitchell who was also our celebrant. Walking Amelia down the aisle and concelebrating our Mass was Fr Dean Mathieson of Hampton Parish. We were very blessed to start 2021 by celebrating the Sacrament of Fr Dean has been a spiritual father for Amelia in Melbourne so we Matrimony at Sacred Heart Parish in Croydon followed by afternoon were delighted that he could also be part of the celebrations. tea at Bianchet Yarra Valley. We were joined by many family members, including Andrew’s parents Gayle and Jim, brother Daniel, Although our Wedding was held at the neighbouring parish, it also sister Sarah and many of our friends on a lovely summer day. had a Holy Spirt Ringwood North feel, as joining Fr Arsenio at Mass were Andrew’s RCIA group co-leader Lawrie Cecconello and his wife 2020 as the year of our engagement, proved to be a year where Frances, fellow parishioner Sean Collins and our Connect Group wedding plans needed to be continually adjusted, and while that members Maryann Street, Maree Buttler, Maureen Chamberlin, created ongoing uncertainty about where our wedding would be Yvette Collins and Marita North-Coombes. Andrew’s RCIA sponsor held and who could travel, one thing that has been unshakeable has Tina Toomey also popped up in our Zoom After Party, joining the been our commitment to get married and receive the Sacrament. celebrations virtually from Mulwala. We started 2020 planning to be married in Singapore and due to the We are very grateful for the prayers and well wishes that we have pandemic needed to change it to Australia, although sadly due to received from our Holy Spirit community. the travel restrictions, Amelia’s Singapore and Sydney based family members were unable to travel. We look forward to having a Chinese It has been a blessing and privilege for us to join each other in this tea ceremony and party with them in Singapore in the future. marital covenant initiated by God. We met through the internet Fortunately, we were able to broadcast a livestream of the Mass to dating site Catholic Match back in July 2019 and fast forwarding to our Singapore and Sydney family members who got together at February 2021 after a two week honeymoon around Victoria we are watch parties to view the Mass and join us for a Zoom After Party enjoying life as newlyweds with God at the centre of our marriage. squeezed in between our Mass and Afternoon Tea.

We were very blessed to be able to journey through our marriage preparations with Holy Spirit Parish Priest Fr Arsenio Tuazon

Finally! Holy Spirit parishioners attending our January 2nd Wedding Mass at Sacred Heart Croydon and Afternoon Tea at Bianchet Yarra Valley. 6 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Baptism WELCOME

7 February, 2021 Joshua and Taylor McLachlan presented their daughter Mia

21 February, 2021 Joshua and Elizabeth Barter presented Archie to be welcomed.

14 March, 2021 Kaitlin and Adam Nadinic present Gemma Rose We are very excited for Gemma to be welcomed into the HS community. Whilst it has only been a few years of living in the area, Kaitlin has taught at Holy Spirit for the past nine years. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 7

Alpha WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MEANING OF LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING?

According to the Douglas Adams book ‘Hitchhikers guide to the Alpha is run all over the world and now Alpha Online is via Zoom. Galaxy’, the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and Intrigued?… then Come & See! We will introduce ourselves, watch everything is – 42! Most would think that was an odd or ridiculous a short video and have a small group conversation where you can answer, which is precisely what Douglas intended. This is not an easy share your thoughts. We finish at 9 p.m. sharp. There’s no cost. What question to answer, but still worth thinking about. have you got to lose? We all lead busy lives and have many demands on our time, but also To find out more about Alpha at Holy Spirit Parish: https:// have dreams and aspirations for the future, for ourselves and for holyspiritparish.org.au/Alpha others as well. Life is so busy we often don’t make time to consider the meaning of it all, where we are really going. Is there more to life Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/holy-spirit-parish- than this? alpha-2021-registration-140784077967

Starting Sunday 14th March at 7:30pm, we are on a journey to WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ONLINE consider the big questions in a program called Alpha. Alpha is a Any Questions? You can contact us via email: timeout where you can think about these things, listen to others and [email protected] discuss your own thoughts. None of us know it all; time with others or call Kerry (0407 764 302) or Maryann (0429 876 434) to discuss these things will help in the search for answers.

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Fr Frank O’Dea SSS, author of Eucharist: The Basic Spirituality, died religious vows on 5 February 1956. At the time of his entry, Frank was peacefully in Melbourne, Australia on 9 January 2021, aged 92. clothed in the habit of the Congregation and received the religious Heart ofname of Brother Life Baylon, after the Franciscan Saint Paschal Baylon Born in 1928, the second child in a large Catholic family, Frank grew (1540-1592) who had a great devotion to the Eucharist. up in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton during the Depression of the 1930s. He attended St Finbar’s Primary School at Brighton East, When Frank joined the Blessed Sacrament Congregation, he was progressing to Christian Brothers’ College (CBC) St Kilda, now known obliged to become a brother and not a priest. He dearly wanted to as St Mary’s College,Spirituality and later to St Kevin’s College in Toorak where continue studies Centre and progress to the ‘scholasticate’ phase of training, he completed his secondary education. which would have taken him to the Congregation’s seminary and led to ordination as a priest, but that door was not initially open to OnA veryleaving broad St Kevin’s, offering Frank spent is available four years workingincluding for the regular State Through guided reflection on our human experience Frank. As he explains in Eucharist: The Basic Spirituality (at Chapter ElectricitySaturday Commission Reflection (SEC). DaysHe also for began those tertiary who studies would towards love of God, we grow in appreciation of both our own 12 and in his inspirational homily ‘The Healing of the Man with an a Diplomalittle time in Electrical to reflect Engineering but cannot at Footscray spare Technical a weekend School - experience and the experience describers in some Impediment in his Speech’), Frank had a stutter for much of his life. inThese the western usually suburbs run from of Melbourne, 10am to where 3.30pm. his family had later of the classical writings about God and prayer. At the time of Frank’s entry, he was not allowed to become a priest if moved.Some Frankcurrent had completedofferings two include; years of this course when, in 1953, Cost $378 he had a speech impediment. heCome decided & toSee drop - Saturdayhis studies and 18 respond June to the call of his religious From Stardust to Consciousness vocation. And so, on completion of his novitiate, Frank (as Br Baylon) remained Come and explore what physical and spiritual Saturday September 3 - 10.00 am - 3.30 pm in relative isolation at Bowral for many years. He mostly helped to Heelements became aninfluence aspirant for religiousour experience life in the Blessed of placeSacrament and How might we experience the creative presence of cook and serve meals. He worked as the porter, a job he loved, and Congregationhow we can of engagepriests and more brothers, deeply founded with by thethese French places. saint Divine Mystery in the 13.7 billion year story that has he sometimes assisted as sacristan. He did repairs and ‘odd jobs’ PeterAs part Julian of Eymard our day in 1956. we willThe Congregationwalk about had the first beautiful come to brought all that we know into existence? around the property, and he faithfully participated in the regular Australiagrounds in 1929that to surround take over the Heart pastoral of care Life, of historicand consider St Francis’ service of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which was central to Churchthe impact in the centre of tangible of the city qualitiesof Melbourne. ( such as buildings, ANDthe Congregation’s THERE IS SOspirituality MUCH at that MORE! time. Outside of prayer and his BRtexture, BAYLON colour), SSS and intangibles ( such as memories, ’employments’, Frank enjoyed bushwalking and photography, and values) on our experience. These are just a couple of the retreats offered, check With ‘a lot of trepidation’ and ‘a little reluctance’, in mid 1953 Frank thehe read website books toto further find hisout knowledge more! and education. Poetry Writing as Prayer - Saturday 30 July moved from Melbourne to Bowral, New South Wales, where the He made his final profession of perpetual vows on 5 February 1959 Congregation’s Australian novitiate was located. After several Heartat the Congregation’s of Life Spirituality Seminary of Centre Christ the King at Lower Plenty months as a postulant at Bowral, on 5 February 1954 Frank formally Something more challenging? 96on theAlbion outskirts Road of Melbourne. Box Hill Apart from a six-month stint working enteredThe Human the novitiate Experience phase of his oftraining, God which - 14 involvedX Thursday two years Phoneat the seminary 9890 1101 in 1961-62, Frank was located at Bowral for over a of9.15 formation am - and 11 culminatedam. 21 July in his to profession 10 November. of first (or temporary) decade, from the time he arrived in 1953 until August 1965 when he www.heartoflife.melbournewas posted to the Congregation’s religious community at St Peter

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PRIESTHOOD

Frank trained for the priesthood at St Paul’s Seminary in Kensington, New South Wales (the ‘National Seminary for Late Vocations’), which was run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from 1968 to 1998. When Frank was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Eric Perkins at St Francis’ Church, Melbourne on 2 December 1978, he had just turned 50. His hair and beard were already grey and turning prematurely white.

Some might have thought he was not far off retirement. For Frank, it was a new beginning, a second chance at religious life, this time as the priest he had always wanted to be. And he did not waste that precious time he had been given so late in life.

As it turned out, Frank was blessed with over four decades to serve as a priest, and he never really retired. From 1978, he ministered as a priest in all of the Congregation’s Australian churches and shrines, in Melbourne, Sydney, Toowoomba, and Perth.

When Frank was posted to Perth, Western Australia in 1982, his main role was to minister at All Saints’ Chapel in the Perth CBD, but he also assisted in the suburban parish of Holy Cross, Kensington that the Congregation looked after. Frank realised how much he loved parish ministry and, in addition to celebrating masses and hearing confessions, he was soon running retreats, prayer nights and other activities at Kensington. He still had difficulty on occasions with his speech, but he did not allow those fears to stop him.

In June 1982, he began promoting the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), whereby adults interested in the Catholic faith were assisted through a staged process of ‘initiation’ into the Church from an original enquiry phase to their eventual baptism and reception of Julian’s Church at Haymarket, Sydney. By that time, the vast Bowral the sacraments. facility had ceased as a novitiate and had moved through phases Only one person turned up when Frank first offered to speak as a juniorate and minor seminary, and later as a retreat house. The about RCIA in the Holy Cross parish hall on 8 June 1982. Frank was Catholic Church was being transformed by the modernising impetus undeterred. By November 1982 he had six candidates who had of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). And Frank, too, was being completed several months of ‘pre-catechumenate’ and were ready transformed. to move on to the next stage, the ‘catechumenate’, in which they Although Frank did not use the term, he was experiencing a kind of received sponsors to assist their development of in prayer and liberation. He sensed being freed from some of the harsher restrictions knowledge of the Church. Perth’s Catholic newspaper The Record of an older and darker Church. Like so many others, he rejoiced in the described Frank’s Kensington group as possibly ‘the first Perth spirit of hope, new life, and fresh air that seemed to have arrived with implementation of the new rite of Christian initiation’. the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. At the same time, his Within a short time, the fruits of Frank’s efforts were many. At personal healing was also emerging as he began to overcome the Kensington on Holy Saturday (2 April) 1983, two adults were baptised speech disability which had been a part of his life since childhood. and seven adults were received into full communion and confirmed. The healing of Frank’s speech was a long process and involved At the same ceremony, another person was catechised, three many stages. He liked to call it ‘a miracle in slow motion’. By the late children were baptised, and a young person (previously baptised but 1960s, Frank’s speech was not fully ‘healed’, but it had improved not instructed) was received into full communion and confirmed. enough for the leaders of his Congregation to allow him to train for This time, the hall was full of parishioners, friends and families for the priesthood. Corresponding with this development, after 1968 it the post-ceremony supper.In 1985, Holy Cross, Kensington parish became possible for men who were ‘mature’ or ‘late vocations’ to combined with the nearby parish of Holy Family, Como. Frank was undertake a shorter course of training for the priesthood, involving appointed parish priest of Como-Kensington in late 1989 and served only four years of seminary training instead of the traditional seven as parish priest in 1990-93. During his fourteen years in Perth (1982- years (for diocesan priests), or up to ten or more years (for priests in 1996), Frank became aware that it had been a ‘weakness’ in his own religious orders or congregations). Congregation in Australia that many of its priests (who had mostly 10 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

ministered in central city shrines) were not exposed to the kind of EUCHARIST: THE BASIC SPIRITUALITY diversity that he felt blessed to have gained by living and working Some years ago, a friend said to Frank: ‘You should write a book’. His in a parish. first reaction was to laugh. But the seed was sown. Although Frank On returning to Melbourne in 1996, Frank promoted a programme scarcely knew how to use a computer at that time, with characteristic of eucharistic evangelisation called Life in the Eucharist (LITE). tenacity he found his way and was soon producing LITE introduced contemporary eucharistic theology to parish full-length chapters. Before long, he had twenty chapters drafted communities through structured courses presented by trained lay of a manuscript titled Eucharist: The Basic Spirituality. He had also adults led by a Congregation priest. Assisted by Fr Jo Dirks SSS and interviewed over thirty people about their personal experience later Fr Alfred Yap SSS, Frank was instrumental in the establishment of the Eucharist, which he included in the publication as ‘witness of successful LITE teams to serve parishes in Perth, Melbourne, and stories’. later Sydney. Frank became the spiritual director of LITE Australia. As a result of its publication online, Frank’s book reached a readership IN ‘RETIREMENT’ far beyond what could ever have been achieved in print. Eucharist: By 2000, Frank was living in a small religious community attached The Basic Spirituality has now received hundreds of thousands of to the Congregation in the Melbourne suburb of Box Hill. This page views and has attracted readers from almost every country on community lived in a series of ordinary housing units with one unit earth. serving as a chapel. Built in the mid 1980s as a scholasticate complex The success of the publication meant that Frank found himself called Eymard College, it later served as a novitiate, a provincial with a global eucharistic ministry, responding from his computer administration community, and eventually became a retirement to hundreds of readers who used the site’s contact form to ask him community for older priests and brothers who retained some about the Eucharist or other teachings of the Catholic Church. He independence. Frank was aged in his seventies when he arrived at realised his book was being used as a resource by parishes, pastoral Box Hill, but ‘retirement’ was not an attractive option for Frank. For associates, theological students, schools, teachers and many others. many more years, he assisted with the celebration of Sunday masses in eastern suburbs parishes, both near and far, notably at Mitcham, Ill health and mobility problems eventually obliged Frank to move Blackburn South, Park Orchards, and Ringwood North. When he was into residential aged care for the last phase of his life, which was unable to drive himself, parishioners and friends volunteered to spent at Mercy Place in the inner Melbourne suburb of Parkville. drive him. Being dependent on others was not in Frank’s nature, but he needed the extra care he received. And he was happy. For fitness and recreation, Frank became a regular swimmer at the local aquatic centre. He also cared for the garden at Box Hill. Despite his advanced age, it was remarkable that Frank survived One of the legacies of Frank’s experience in Western Australia was contracting COVID-19 in 2020 and endured many weeks of that he developed a keen interest in Australian native plants. And enforced isolation. His letter to friends and family at Christmas 2020 what began as an interest became a passion after 2004, when he was typical of Frank, discussing some of the many problems he saw returned to the West to tour the wildflowers of South West WA in the world and exploring ways of how to deal with them. Always with a group of native gardeners. He was an enthusiastic member the priest and teacher, he drew on the words of Scripture to explain of the Maroondah branch of the Australian Plants Society (APS) and his thoughts and encourage his readers. He shared a joke and he became widely known in native plant circles. A visit to the native included a picture of one of the Australian native plants he loved garden Frank planted at Box Hill was reported, accompanied by a (Callistemon subulatus). superb slideshow of photographs, in Jenny H. and Jill L., ‘Two Box Hill In the last week of his life, Frank was struggling to breathe, yet still Gardens’ (APS Yarra Yarra website, February 2018). active on his computer faithfully serving the enquiries he received The vigorous Wollemi pine that grew on the patio outside Frank’s through his book. back door seemed strangely symbolic of Frank. It was a solitary When Fr Frank O’Dea died at the age of 92 on 9 January 2021, he had survivor, somehow old and young at the same time, born again. been a professed member of the Blessed Sacrament Frank’s garden of almost 300 species of Australian plants allowed Congregation for 64 years, and 42 years a priest. him to share in the extraordinary richness of creation. In his May he rest in peace. article ‘The God of Diversity: A Spirituality of Gardening with Natives’, which is accompanied by photographs of some of Frank’s flowers, we realise that his experience of that garden was not merely knowledgable and practical. His relationship with the garden was deep and almost mystical. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 11

What are your plans for 2021? MARILYN GRANT Do you think we are a just society? No. Unfortunately, a majority of Australians belong to a secular society, and therefore don’t have Career: Office Administration and then retirement the benefit of a faith community to support them. There is a large Fun: Reading, Music, Cooking divide between the haves and the have nots.

Family: Lots of Get togethers If you had the power what would you change? I would turn the Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? Yes. I had organized clock back on the devastation climate change has caused our planet. an overseas holiday, but that’s on hold. I have also pushed out my Our stewardship of our planet has been very poorly managed. retirement date. Where do you see yourself in five years? Retired, supporting my Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19. I family, gardening, more involve with music and the HSP community. think I am better, more aware of the struggles of others, more aware What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? I don’t think I of mental illness and the effect it has on families. I hope I am more can see that far ahead. I will be nearly 100 if I make it that far. forgiving, being locked up on my own was a big learning curve. I What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050? wondered how people coped if they were in solitary confinement, America & China and thought how barbaric humans have been in the past. If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/ How do you see the Australian Community at this time? I only who or what do you think would be his/her first priorities? have an opinion of the community I am involved in. I think for the Homelessness, poverty, crime, lack of faith. most part more united, and prepared to do the right thing by each other.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon and you will be pardoned: LK 6:37 12 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

This is Our Life RON & JEAN SMITH

Ron During this time I met a young bank employee and life took on a new dimension. My journey started in 1928, in Rutherglen (wine country), which town has a slogan – “Sydney has a great harbour, but Rutherglen has a Ron and Jean great port”. Following our marriage at Infant Jesus Church, in Koroit, in 1955, we I was the youngest of 5 children. made our first home in Noble Park and were inaugural parishioners of St Anthony’s Parish. It was during our time in Noble Park that our My father was a carpenter and died in 1938, leaving my mother to four children were born. care for the family without the benefit of a widow’s pension – how she managed is one of life’s mysteries, but survive we did, and she Various transfers in work, interstate and country, although not died at the age of 101 years, having been a widow for 60 years. regretted in the long run, were difficult to manage, particularly with schooling, but finally settling in Ringwood and being part of the My schooling was at Rutherglen State school until year 10 and then Holy Spirit Parish commencement added stability to our lives. at Wangaratta High School for year 11. When at primary school, I remember the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in World War 2 We have had the opportunity of being part of various ministries, (my brother was stationed there at the time). including Ron – 60 years in differing roles in “Vinnies” (45 or so at Holy Spirit) and Jean – over 40 years with Evergreens Support Team. After leaving school I joined the Bank of Australasia (now known as ANZ Bank) and over the course of 41 years worked in various We were very involved with the Ringwood Catholic Tennis Club, branches, including Melbourne, Launceston, Hobart, Port Fairy and which was very family orientated and gave our young people the Warrnambool. chance to play sport and socialize.

In my early banking life around Victoria, I played in two football The 120 Golf Club was also a joint interest at Holy Spirit. teams which wore “black and yellow”, hence my allegiance to the Along the way, Jean returned to her nursing career and worked part “Tiger Army”. time at Dandenong District Hospital for 20 years. My banking career finished in administration in Collins Street, as a Travel opportunities came our way, allowing us to holiday interstate Senior Lending Manager – in those days, bank managers were well and overseas on quite a few occasions. regarded in the community!! We have certainly been blessed with our four supportive children, It was at Warrnambool in 1952, that a young nurse took a fancy to me their partners and their eleven children (our grandchildren) of whom and we married in 1955. we are very proud as they make their way in their chosen fields – we Jean now have the added joy of three great grandchildren.

I was born in 1932 and raised in the little Irish village of Koroit (in the The Parish has played a major role in our lives and has given us the Western District), famous for the Koroit Irish Festival, held one week opportunity to make lasting friendships along the way. prior to the Warrnambool May Races. P.S. We did tell Don that everyone may be quite bored with this story!! I am the second eldest of 8 children. My parents had a dairy farm and as it was depression time, they worked extremely hard, milking cows by hand etc. to get established. WEBSITES TO VISIT My father then went into potato and onion farming in the rich There are so many wonderful publications and articles available volcanic soil off Tower Hill Lake (which is now a popular tourist area), to us now that I am always at a loss to know which to include, and where we lived. trying to keep things topical and current can be a battle with a We rode bikes (2 miles), dinking younger siblings to school, where quarterly magazine. I tend to publish from sources you may not the Good Samaritan Sisters provided our education – part of life on be aware of rather than the ones like our Diocesan publication as I the farm meant there were always plenty of things to do and animals assume most people are aware of it, but just in case it heads the list: to care for, etc. MC News https://melbournecatholic.org/ Back then the Parish was the centre of our social and sporting life, Eureka Street https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/ however at 17 years I decided to fly the coop and commenced Magellan Media https://majellan.media/bulletins/ nursing training at the Warrnambool Base Hospital. St Columbans Mission Society www.columban.org.au Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 13

Vale: Mia Buskes 21/12/1925 – 23/01/2021

Mia was farewelled from Holy Spirit on Wednesday February 3rd, 2021. As they were growing up she worked in Lindsay’s, which became Target, as a retail manager – a job she absolutely loved and she John has supplied the following story of her life, taken from a eulogy used to say, “find a job you love and you will never work a day on the day. John and his two daughters gave a wonderful insight in your life”. into this wonderful “little” lady. She hosted parties for friends and had fun, took in fellow We shall miss your smile Mia. migrants, and maintained close ties with her extended family, Mia was born on 21/12/1925 in Venlo, Holland. She arrived into a both here and abroad. world that was just overcoming a 5 year depression. By the time Mia dealt with the passing of her eldest son and husband with she was 5 herself in 1930, Holland entered the Great Depression. all the dignity any mortal could muster and still carried on living Tough, tough, tough times indeed. a day to day disciplined life. Raised as a farmer’s daughter, she was well educated in the Mia proudly lived on her own for 94 and a half years, fiercely best schools. She loved learning and in her handwritten maintaining her independence. Cooking, gardening and reading autobiography, she says she couldn’t wait for school holidays to every day, working around the house and people remember end so she could go back to school. Unfortunately, she had to seeing her walking up the steep incline of Byron Street to get to leave at 14. the North Ringwood shops. After some health issues, she finally In this autobiography, she tells of heroism, depression and and realistically decided that care was necessary. hardship. She tells of the war and her family, raising her baby She was mother to John and William and the proud Oma of brother when a teenager while her mum and pap worked in Laura and Heather and consistently said she would be nowhere their market garden, effectively playing the role of second mum without them to love. and running the house, which she relished. Her tough interior is pervasive and no doubt got her through all At almost 20, nearing the end of the war, she contracted hepatitis the trials and tribulations and celebrations in her life. and became so ill that she was transported in a wheelbarrow to a shelter where a priest gave her last rites. Luckily for me she She will be missed by all who knew her. recovered. P.S. The Holy Spirit Evergreen group was a lifeline for Mia, and she About this time, she fell in love with a young man, Wil, deemed remained a loyal member over many years, always bringing flowers unfairly by her parents to be below her station. Luckily for me from her garden to each meeting. they ignored them.

At 25 in 1950, she left home to follow her husband, my Dad, and travel to a country she knew next to nothing about – Australia. This was with the knowledge she would be disinherited because of her parents’ disapproval.

Mia worked from home and as a young mum worked as a florist, as a clothing sorter, taught close friends to cook, (her culinary talents were second to none). Seriously, Dad used to say “why go to a restaurant, the food would not be as good as here”. She ran a home budget with all the skills of any CFO. She was careful and smart with home finances. They paid their house off in 5 years (those were the sale terms). They raised two sons, loved them and were able to pay for their education. 14 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Vale Gloria Thomas TRIBUTE FOR GG When I attempt to think of all the words to describe GG and, moreover, a unique and phenomenal relationship with her and Puppa. I am how much she meant to me, I am met with an inexpressible sensation. eternally grateful for the influence that they have both had on our She was an absolutely terrific grandmother to seven grandchildren, upbringing, and the unfaltering support and unconditional love yet she was so much more, to so many people. GG was joyful and from them that has continued to this day. I feel proud, knowing that constantly optimistic, with the ability to bring light and a sense of I stand here today, as I am, thanks to GG and Puppa’s direction and positivity into any situation. She was a truly sociable and gregarious their guidance throughout the course of my life. woman, never afraid to be the centre of attention and launch into And I know, that although everything seems a little dull without song or begin dancing to a tune on the radio. her, GG’s warmth and radiance will live on forever through the love, GG had an absolute knack for telling a story, and I often feel as if she the many laughs and the wisdom that she shared with all of her exposed us to the true nature of exaggeration and embellishment. grandchildren and family. The stories about her childhood in Fiji, or her many adventures at To put it simply, GG was an absolute legend. boarding school never failed to surprise. If anything, they managed to encapsulate her vivacious and buoyant personality at heart. GG Thank you, for everything. also had the incredible ability to delve into riveting conversation Josh Wilmore with absolutely anyone. Whether it be the Coles delivery person, or a complete stranger in the supermarket, I can guarantee with absolute certainty that she left a smile on the face of every individual she conversed with. It was GG’s outgoing and entirely genuine nature that made her so memorable and could allow her to be spotted in any crowd with ease.

Every time I think of GG, another terrific and joyfully charged memory comes flooding back to me. Whether it be the time we bought an absolutely huge pizza and had to fit it into the boot of her car, or the numerous occasions we would cry of laughter because of some mindless joke. I could honestly spend hours recounting all the comical memories and priceless moments we shared, and I am truly thankful for that. GG taught me the true nature of admiring the small things in life and the ability to look for the happiness in any given situation.

Despite GG’s outgoing nature, she was always able to instantly adopt a more serious tone and offer her extensive wisdom and insight. If I were to ever face a problem or issue, GG would always be there to assist, often encouraging me to shift my perspective on the situation at hand. I always felt uplifted after talking with GG.

Alongside this, she always loved to ponder the meaning of life and its deepest questions. She was always prepared to have an in-depth discussion, no matter the time of day. This was most clearly evident when she used to drop us off and pick us up from school. Each day, she would bring up the latest world news, and we would talk about it. I recall the countless hours we must have spent, deep in discussion, immersed in our own world, challenging and listening to each other’s views. I remember thinking to myself that I’d never need to watch the news or read the paper, because GG was my no.1 news source. GG played an absolutely critical role in encouraging Zak and I to expand our methods of thinking and to view the world in a different perspective.

After almost growing up, I have come to realise how blessed and fortunate Zak and I are to have known GG, and to have had such Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 15

What are your plans for 2021 AMBROSE What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? With the current decline in the white population and influx of people from Career: Progressing up the ladder as Project Manager for Major China and South Asia, Australia will more or less look like the North works Eastern part of India which is closer to China. Australia may look like Fun: Trying to see beautiful parts of Australia this year ‘Bali’ with people being brown with Asian facial features.

Family: As my wife Phil is very religious minded, trying to be more What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050? patient with her rigorous religious beliefs and many a times join her • China in the 2 hours daily sermon online. • India Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? Yes, it has due to WFH, • USA has now made me a Workaholic (pre Covid) to an Alcoholic. If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/who Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19 – or what do you think would be his/her first priorities? Thanks to Lord Almighty, I am yet alive and safe. So, till now, status quo • Change the minds of leaders of Non-Democratic nations to be How do you see the Australian Community at this time? - Great gentle and kind so all people in these nations can live happy and very understanding and safe

Do you think we are a just society? Yes, but there are exceptions, • Change the minds of Narcissists and other Sadists to be rational which I believe is in every part of the world and just

If you had the power what would you change? Change the • Use his Divine mercy touch to drive out all evil spirits and cure mind of the current Chinese leader ‘Xi Jinping’ and make him see all physical and mental illness Democracy and to be Holy and later crown him ‘Pope Jon Ping XI’

Where do you see yourself in five years? If Alive and safe, then plan for Retirement and in the interim, see some beautiful parts of the world especially the Holy Land, US, and Europe.

Please note: Our RINGWOOD practice HAS MOVED (just 50 m down the road) As of 9th December 2019 our Footlab+ Ringwood will be at 36 Wantirna Road Ringwood 3134.

16 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

How to prepare for and survive a MIDLIFE CRISIS

A coach who works with this issue offers advice on how to make it a job to volunteer at an association, and less drastic one, like switching productive and positive time. to a new position within the same company.

“Midlife crisis can lend you wings” says Tristan de Feuilhade, who What are the changes once we’ve gone through the middle age works as a midlife coach. Here he offers some advice on the issues crisis? proper to this stage in life that can help you better prepare for it and TF: You come out different, much wiser. “What doesn’t kill you makes render it more productive. you stronger,” said Nietzsche. Forty is the age when you can afford How do we realize that we’re dealing with a midlife crisis? to let go of things. You become more self-sufficient and may want to reexamine your life. If you’ve got nothing to lose, you can only win. Tristan de Feuilhade: A painful sense of dissatisfaction takes over At the very least, the midlife crisis may be inspirational and offer a the 40-somethings when they begin asking themselves existential chance to make one’s dreams come true. questions about the significance of their work, their value system and their life as a whole. The crisis is often born out of difficulties Interview by Stéphanie Combe at home or at work. For example, the lack of further professional We acknowledge and thank Aleteia and Stephanie Combe for allowing perspective or gaining weight — these tale-tale signs that make one us to republish this article. https://aleteia.org/ realize that they’re getting old. The older we become, the more we are aware how precious life is.

Does everyone undergo a midlife crisis?

TF: No, it is not inevitable. It’s generally experienced by those whose vision of what life is all about clashes with the actual life they’re leading. Some try to compensate for this with material goods and social status. But there are those who want more.

Are people who believe in God better at dealing with midlife crisis?

TF: Faith gives sense to their lives. When the center of gravity is your heart, you stay focused no matter what life has reserved for you. But when you gravitate toward external things, like money, professional career or physical appearance, sooner or later, your life comes crushing down on you.

What kind of advice can you offer?

TF: When faced with these existential questions, there is a great temptation to avoid them in becoming hyperactive. Many are those who derail their lives and let it all go to hell: their families and their careers. What I advise them to do is to stop, take a step back and examine their situation. It’s time to ask a question: “Am I on the right path?” and imagine a different scenario.

So, is the coach someone who invites people to change their outlook on life?

TF: We must learn how to let go of old objectives and find new goals, how to open up to other possibilities. It’s key in rediscovering desire and determination. The coach can help a person find them. In taking constructively, he can reignite a positive dynamic so necessary for success. Whenever I meet someone, I am always interested in their potential. In addition, the coach can provide a method for how to sort things out and make the right choice. Every precipitous decision is a risky one. The midlife coaching consists in temporizing, formulating, and analyzing. There is a radical change, like leaving a Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 17

What are your plans for 2021? LAWRY the lack of education in the moral and ethical space, I believe, has Career: Retired brought western society and the world in general to low point. Fun: Holiday somewhere in Australia, most likely Victoria Providing full employment would also be a priority. Family: not sure what’s intended here Where do you see yourself in five years? Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? Yes. Hopefully in good health, still active and able to help out those around 1. We were supposed to go overseas this year us. 2. Covid19 has touched so many areas of our lives, in so many ways, What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? and in so many dimensions. Extremely difficult to say; in the current climate, it’s hard enough to Like going to the footy, going to the city, using public transport, going say what our country will be like next year, let alone 2050. The pace shopping, etc etc of change, on many fronts, is so quick that I struggle to envisage what the country will be at that time. Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19 What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050 Possible a more accepting person, more tolerant On current trends, you would think China, India and the US (if they How do you see the Australian Community at this time? don’t implode), but again, so difficult to say. Also, you hear relatively On the whole, we have done pretty well in terms of compliance to the frequently that Africa is an emerging continent. You would never say regulations, but I think it has also brought out the nut jobs, extremists, never about anything these days. and fanatics in our midst. If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/who or Do you think we are a just society ? what do you think would be his/her first priorities? Not even close. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle Without a doubt, eradication of poverty would be top of the list in class are increasingly apathetic, as long as adversely affected by my mind, followed by a return to the establishment of human dignity, external circumstances. respect and peace, as well as the normalization of the distribution of If you had the power what would you change? resources amongst the worlds’ peoples Eradicate homelessness as a first step, closely followed by an attempt to reinstate the teaching of Christian values in our education system;

Greetings MAGELLAN MEDIA

It was around a year ago during Lent that many of us entered a sort of wilderness as we began the experience of lockdown brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic. Our ways of communication changed significantly and things we took for granted such as greetings with handshakes, hugs and kisses, gatherings with family and friends around the dinner table and worshipping together in churches were replaced for many people by virtual meetings, media and phones. As we become more reliant on such devices, we have probably had to become acquainted with having to ‘hit the reset button’ to fix problems and to start the device anew. Perhaps that is what Lent is for us. A time to reset and start our relationship with God anew. This Lent let us take time each day to ‘reset’ and renew the sense of our need of God minute by minute and develop a more intimate and authentic relationship. We can also reset what we do each day to make a difference and help renew our planet. Tony - https://majellan.media/ Published with permission. 18 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

More respectful Invasion Day coverage, but much work still to be done It’s a tradition of mine to undertake my own “media watch” experiment in the city. Sydney coverage was a bit different. While it covered arrests following the annual Invasion Day rallies. For absolute decades it has at the Domain, it also covered a largely peaceful gathering generally been noted that the continual negative reporting of Aboriginal and speaking with police praising attendees. ABC News Alice Springs Torres Strait Islander people, our fights and our political movements, published photos of a gathering of 300 on the courthouse lawns. It was fuel negative public perceptions of us leading to racism and bullying, a pleasure to see family members within these pics. as well as lower self-esteem and mental health outcomes in our own 'I just hope to see a continued commitment to accurate and respectful communities. reporting when it comes to Indigenous issues.' Certainly, Invasion Day reporting has followed this trend. As noted Perhaps the biggest shock was a Channel 7 report that happened in some of my previous work, media have not only consistently prior to the rally in Melbourne. For the unaware, marshal training underreported the numbers attending the Invasion Day rally therefore happens annually to ensure the crowd moves safely and cohesively diminishing what is a large and growing movement, they have also through the city. So it was strange that this year, Channel 7 arrived at repeatedly highlighted the apparent threat of violence while noting the the marshal training to cover it. Though their report did revert to the large police presence at the rallies, allegedly to “control” these threats. wrongful messaging regarding the rally being to change the date, the One year a media outlet stated that there were 150 participants at the coverage focussed positively on the commitment to a COVID safe event rally when the numbers were closer to five thousand. Not a single rally in Melbourne and juxtaposed the Freedom Day rally organised by anti- I have been to has been anything but peaceful and the only exception maskers and Proud Boys that was also organised for the 26/1. It was a to this has been incidents where police have failed to intercept extreme relief to see Invasion Day framed as being an organised and responsible right actors (now noted to be taking up 40 per cent ASIO’s anti-terrorism event taking measures to protect the public while right wing protests resources) who’ve entered rallies to cause havoc. Each time this has were, for once, framed (accurately) as violent and irresponsible. happened, marshals and/or participants have moved swiftly to contain Given all this, do I think we’re finally witnessing a change in attitude by these aggressors. the media when it comes to Invasion Day and the annual marches we Then there are the truly ridiculous and racist extremes — talking hold for our rights? To a degree, yes. That being said, I do wonder if this heads who continuously state rally participants don’t care about change in coverage will continue or whether we’ve just had a lucky year. the “real issues” in Aboriginal communities such as violence, alcohol Certainly, the numbers keep growing at Invasion Day rallies and the and drug dependency and unemployment. They proceed to talk media pretending that these are small, violent and ignorant gatherings with unearned authority about “remote areas”, which despite them couldn’t continue, particularly given we’re in the midst of a pandemic claiming participants don’t care, they themselves only ever talk about and still people want to march and do everything they can to ensure people who live in these areas in theoretical and ethereal ways. It’s the public are kept safe while they do so. Perhaps the complete lack been of constant amusement (in that gallows humour sense) that they of community transmission of COVID at the earlier Black Lives Matter additionally appear to know nothing of the rally organisers across the rally, despite media trying to claim otherwise at the time, pushed media country and the fact that these staunch people also tend to work in to take a different tact? I just hope to see a continued commitment to the very areas these media “pundits” claim rally participants are not accurate and respectful reporting when it comes to Indigenous issues. interested in. What I don’t believe is that this indicates a massive shift in public Anyway, the point is that I have seen it all and when I looked at this perceptions when it comes to Indigenous people. There is so much year’s reporting, I was expecting more of the same. I ended up being more work to be done. The public needs to question the exorbitant pleasantly surprised. Taking Melbourne’s reporting as a starting point, rates of incarceration of Indigenous people. It needs to question why most reports featured details of the lengths the rally went to around so much of the history we’re taught is whitewashed. It needs to start COVID restrictions and safety precautions. Many featured interviews activating and pushing for a fairer and more inclusive future. It needs with speakers and rally participants talking about why they were there, to push for treaties, for example, which agree to protect the rights of and most were factual when it came to the purpose of the rally — this Indigenous people while carving out ways the country can move was not a rally to “change the date” of Australia Day as organisers have forward which aren’t continuously about the erasure and assimilation been trying to highlight for years, this was a rally about highlighting the preferred by successive governments for generations. The calls made at continued impacts of colonisation while calling for change and justice. Invasion Day — regarding Indigenous lands, justice, acknowledgement and respect — must be answered. 83 years of Indigenous people having Interstate, reports followed similar trends. The Perth rally was reported to march on this day indicates the issues remain. It’s time that changed. as being the largest ever, as was the Adelaide rally. The Brisbane rally and subsequent gathering at Musgrave was also covered as such while We gratefully acknowledge Celeste Liddle and Eureka Street for allowing us also stating that masks were being worn by a lot despite the lack of cases to reprint this article. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 19

Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation FROM THE CENTRE FOR ACTION AND CONTEMPLATION. OUR COSMIC MOTHER

The image of the “Cosmic Egg of Meaning” is in some sense maternal, in her generosity and been grateful. with each dome nestled and held by something larger and more She has never asked much of you in return. Up until now, your powerful than itself. This is an ancient idea that may be helpful to gratitude has been enough. Your delight has been her reward. Up our postmodern psyches, allowing us to embrace the mutuality of until now, she has not needed you as you have needed her. But that all life. CAC teacher Barbara Holmes puts it this way: is shifting. . . . Current science positions the universe as the birthing place of all “Tell me what is troubling you, Mama,” you whisper, exactly as entities and thus a cosmic mother. New perspectives on the birthing she always spoke to you when you were small and frightened and aspects of the universe may also help to depict the life space as one bleeding from some injury (real or imagined). that is intended to nurture. The intricate balances of chemicals and stardust, which must occur for life to appear, mimic the process “Pretty much everything, honey,” she answers. . . . “I’ll get through of human birth. Science provides the images of the universe as this,” she says. “You’re not getting rid of your old Ma so easily.” She initiating/siring and as an expanding womb, ready to sustain life. reaches down to smooth the crease between your brows. “It’s you The birthing is mathematical, complex, and necessary. We are kids I’m worried about.” [2] made in the image of a parent/creator who invites us into a cosmic Because we have been steeped in patriarchy, we may resist the idea belonging. . . . of a “maternal” universe, yet the pattern it reveals—that all life is We need the embrace of a Cosmic Mother. [1] birthed, held, and nurtured within this cosmos—is undoubtedly true. A cosmic egg, tended, hatched, and nurtured over time is a My poetic friend and interspiritual teacher Mirabai Starr writes about much better image of all growth than any transactional notion of our relationship and responsibility to the maternal energy of the being saved. universe in this way: We acknowledge and thank Richard Rohr and the Centre for Action She is your Mother the Earth, and you belong to her. She nurtured and Contemplation for this thoughtful reflection. If you haven’t you in her dark belly, birthed you in joy, and sustains you at great already signed up for his daily meditations you may like to consider cost to herself. You have slept in her forests, beneath the safety of doing so. of my2 way to perform an act of kindness to someone I don’t her canopy. You haveSEPTEMBER cupped her 2013 snowmelt in your hands. You have investigated the life hidden beneath the surface of her deserts, skied https://cac.org/email-sign-up/ know. Today, I’ll give a sincere compliment to someone who 22-24 Holy Spirit Fete News seems down. I’ll tellAdvertising a child how special in they are. I’ll tell her alpine slopes, and biked her slickrock canyons. You have reveled [1] Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the someone I love just howPrayer much to she the means to me. Today, CONTENTS World Differently, 2nd ed. (CAC Publishing: 2020), 207, 208. I’ll quit wo‘Therrying aboutImmaculate Spirit’ what I don’tmagazine Mother have and give thanks [2] Mirabai Starr, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the for theAdvertising manyIf you wo blessingsuld like inthe that oppo‘The arertunit mine.Spirit’y to I’ll su pporemember magazinert The Ho lythat to 1 Doing the Right Thing because it is the Women Mystics (Sounds True: 2019), 135–136. worry is justImmaculate a waste of Conception time because Mary my faithMy Mother in God and If youSpirit would Parish like and the increase opportunity your to business’s support the exposure, Holy Right Thing His DivineLiethen inPlan adme.verti ensures Actse inin T everythingme.he Sp Speakirit mag willinazine. and be Com justthroughe ne. and join me. Spirit Parish and increase your business’s exposure, then Italian PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY And tonight,advertisethe other in beforeThink The businesses Spirit your I go magazine. tothoughtsfrom bed, our Come I’lllocal in go and communitymy outside join mind the other and who raise 3 Around the Parish Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that my eyesbusinessesare to bene ting the from heavens. ourLove from local through Iadvertising willcommunity stand my in whoin thisheart awe are magazine. benefitingat the beauty Language from advertisingGive me inyour this magazine.dispositions and feelings. 5 Congratulations Fr Allan we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a of the starsThe advertisingand the moon, rates (excludingand I will GST)praise are: God for these time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. The advertising rates (excluding GST) are: magni cent$120 treasures.Teach Third width lead As thepageand day guidequarter ends me page and to Isize lay Jesus my head on 6 Tutor A Time for Family We specialise in Contract Office Cleaning, We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for $120 Third width page quarter page size my pillow,Correct$140 I will Half thank enlighten width the page Almighty and quarter expand Creator page sizemy for thoughts the best day Commercial Cleaning, Office Cleaning, cynicism, denial, fear and despair. Help us have the courage $140 Half width page quarter page size of my life.$160 I will Full sleep width the page andsleep quarterbehavior. of a contented page size child; excited 73rd Year University Holy Spirit Parish &Sports the Maroondah Clubs, Kindergartens, Window and to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care $160 Full width page quarter page size Italian student available with expectations,$250 Half widthbecausePossess page I know half my page tomorrow soul. size could be, yes, Fellowship of ChurchesCarpet Cleaning & General Cleaning. for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and $250 Half width page half page size to tutor years Prep-10 my best day in life, ever.... Servicing all eastern suburbs of Melbourne what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen ForF moreorTake mo informationre over inform myati contacton entire co thentact personalityParish the Houseeditor on(Mar and 9876y Ry life 3717.an) in Italian language. 8 Snapshot: Andrea Quah to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Wordsat the by ParishBob Stoess, ReplaceHouse ona retired it9876 with 3717. CEO yourself and proli c writer. Michael Batchelor Please add your own intentions . . . Knowing, good God, you 9-10 The Evergreens Incline me to constant adoration and Introductory Call: 0419 559 239 are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these thanksgiving. 12-13 Our Fete Sponsors!2 Penshurst Place, Warranwood, VIC 3134 prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen. A & J PrayBOND in me andELECTRICAL through me. lesson is FREE! Editors: Mary Ryan and Joan Plostins (Holds a Working with Let me live in you and keep me in this union 14-15 Understanding the Creation Stories in Publisher: NewtoneSERVICE Press Children Check) Spirit Magazine is publishedRec.always. 9327 four times a year by Holy Spirit Parish 120 Oban GenesisRoad, North Part B Ringwood Phone: 9876 3717 Pope• Fax: 9879John 6042 Paul • IIEmail: [email protected] • Rewire & Extension Specialist 17 Please contact Snapshot: Beth O’DonnellCOLLECTION The contents• Domestic of this magazine & Commercial are printed rtin community an e ort to awarenesssuppo and communication andrepresent do not the necessarily views of the editors, our Parish Priest, or the peoplecontributed of the Holy by LynSpirit Thwarts Parish. Installations 18-19Natalie Sharks Footy NOTICE Letters to the Editor, enquiries re distributiond sourced information contributions an should be sent to • Exhaust & Sweep Fans (past Holy Spirit student) For information on the Holy Spirit Parish House, 120 Oban Road, North Ringwood (address20-21 above) Holy Spirit Community School Average• circulation Stove & 800Hot copies Water – Not Repairs for prot Parish’s policies regarding • Security Lighting 040022-24 868 Holy 403 Spirit Fete News Printed by NewtoneAdvertising Press – 11 Evans Street,in Burwood Vic 3125 Phone:for enquiries 9874 6152 information collection and AdrianEmail: Bond [email protected] privacy please refer to 9 ThomasClosing‘The Lawford date for Spirit’Place next Ph: edition 9725 magazine 8788– 25/11/2013 Croydon Hills, 3136Mobile : 0412 755 882 www.holyspiritparish.org.au If you would like the opportunity to support The Holy Spirit Parish and increase your business’s exposure, then advertise in The Spirit magazine. 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Home Salon North Ringwood Offering professional, personalised hairdressing serviceEditors: Mary Ryan and Joan Plostins which caters specifically to your needs at compePublisher:titive Newtone Press Spirit Magazine is published four times a year by Holy Spirit Parish 120 Oban Road, North Ringwood Phone: 9876 3717By • Fax: Appointment 9879 6042 • Email: [email protected] Only The contents of this magazine are printed rtin community an e ort to awarenesssuppo and communication andrepresent do not the necessarily views of the editors, A salon where you won't be rushed out the dooourr, Parish Priest, or the people of the Holy Spirit Parish. offering a child friendly service, while your little onesLetters to the Editor, enquiries re distributiond sourced information contributions an should be sent to Holy Spirit Parish House,Ph: 1200408 Oban Road,535 North 462 Ringwood (address above) Average circulation 800 copies – Not for prot Printed by Newtone Press – 11 Evans Street, Burwood Vic 3125 Phone: 9874 6152 Email: [email protected] www.qtcuts.com.auClosing date for next edition – 25/11/2013 20 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

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22 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Out Of Touch DIGITAL INTIMACY MATTERS JOURNAL

As millennials watch the next generation recreate their world come after them. This ‘generation gap’ is what pushes the older through technology, just how open will they be to the possibilities generations out of touch with the youth. of digital intimacy? In general, this gap is at its most noticeable between parents and Recently, a friend was showing me some work shirts he had children, who are usually two generations removed. The boomers bought online. Modelling a particularly on-fleek fitted salmon shocked the traditionalists with their Summer of Love approach number, he turned from the mirror and asked, “So, what do you to relationships, conspicuous consumption and nationalism. Gen think?” He looked downright debonair. With a good body and an X has long perplexed both their parents and their children with even better eye, he’d found a slim-fit shirt that showed off both. their cynicism and penchant for satire. Millennials – by many Turning back to his reflection, he started telling me about the accounts the most educated generation, and the first generation new intake of graduates at his office. of digital natives – have long defined themselves against their elders as a generation more open to and accepting of difference. “Their shirts and pants are always so baggy,” he said, “I just think They are, after all, the group known for mainstreaming identity it looks unprofessional.” As he lamented the next generation’s politics and intersectionality. lack of style, it hit me: But if the generation gap is at its most pronounced between This is how it happens. This is how we become old and parents and children, it is at its most interesting in the divide unfashionable. This is how we become out of touch. between the current and soon-to-be ‘in touch’ generations: In season one of the HBO/BBC 2019 sleeper hit Years and Years, between millennials and gen Z. As millennials age out of their 18-year-old Bethany can barely contain her excitement as she ‘youth’ status, my thoughts turn to when and how millennials will begs her mother to call her. Her mother – sitting directly across lose contact with the pulse of the moment. What will make them the table – is confused, but obliges. Bethany takes the call by noticeably out of touch? What will happen when millennials find lifting her hand to her ear, leaving her phone untouched on the themselves opposite the ‘woke’ side of history? What defining table. feature will shift the youth away from the youth, will sever touch, “Can you hear me?” she asks. intimacy, and understanding between millennials and gen Z?

Ending the call with a flick of her hand, Bethany holds an open With the rise of robot influencers like Lil Miquela, increasingly palm towards her mother. sophisticated AI programs and the prevalence of online communication, perhaps the next place to look for significant “It’s me,” she explains. “I’m the phone.” A snaking series of black difference will be in the relationships and intimacies we form wires and speakers have been implanted within her body. They with technology. Will the thing that divides millennials from gen visibly pulse beneath her skin. Her mother stares in horror – this Z be a relationship with technology that is not about the human new form of being in touch with her daughter too much to bear. connection it enables (say, across vast geographical distances), Generally, when we speak of being in or out of touch with but about the technology itself? As the ageing generation someone, we refer to our (in)frequency of communication with watches true digital natives (re)create their world with and them in an abstract sense: through calls, messages, emails and through machines, are millennials ready for and open to the the like. But the phrase ‘out of touch’ finds its etymological roots possibilities of digital intimacy? in 19th-century military drills, when marching soldiers were The idea of digital intimacy is a growing field of interest. It’s expected to keep their elbows connected with those on either an academic discipline, a business development term, and side. The essence of being ‘out of touch’ is an absence of corporeal an emerging buzzword in the op-ed sections of broadsheets contact – of physical, intimate touch. But when we accuse those and literary journals. Dr Emily van der Nagel is a lecturer in older than us of being out of touch, the thing which we insist communications and media studies at Monash University. She they should retain connection with is amorphous. They are out of writes in the ‘Digital Intimacies’ issue of The Lifted Brow that touch with an idea, with a sense of being in and of the world. As academic inquiry into digital intimacies encompasses “research one generation passes its prime, another enters it. on digital connections steeped in human feeling despite taking Every generation experiences a different transition from youth place on commercial platforms”. For example, a 2014 Pew to adulthood. The particular historical events, social phenomena, Research Center survey of 2,252 American adults found that the cultural influences and technological advancements shared by use of technology was an increasingly common feature in couples’ a generation bind them, while also serving to separate them interactions. For some, the additional avenues of communication from those who have come before and, in time, from those who made them feel closer to their partner (21 percent). For others, Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 23

technology was simply a feature of home life, with 25 percent of her parents’ terror is that as she becomes less human and saying they had texted a partner from the same room. And for more bionic, they will lose contact, touch and intimacy with a small but growing number of respondents, technology had her. They view Bethany’s transition as a process of shutting become a means to resolve arguments (9 percent). off from the analogue world. But what they fail to see are the limitless connections this ‘enhanced Bethany’ is able to make. Many, if not all, of these responses would no doubt resonate In episode five, Bethany-become-internet demonstrates how with almost anyone alive today. Technology has fundamentally she can simultaneously hold a conversation with her parents, altered how we form, develop and maintain relationships across assess global weather patterns and appreciate a new music video all age groups, genders and sexual preferences. It is increasingly uploaded by a user on the other side of the world. For Bethany, fundamental to our social identities. A 2018 UK Safer Internet being beyond our physical world – being outside of touch – is Centre survey of young people aged 8 to 17 found that the what makes meaningful connections possible. For her parents, it majority of its 2,000 respondents felt isolated if they were unable is a divide too great to cross. to contact their friends via technology. Another 39 percent said they had made friends online with people they would not As millennials’ gen Z friends, family, colleagues and loved ones otherwise have been able to connect with. increasingly change technology – both what it is and how we relate to it – this divide will become a palpable space of Studies like the Pew and Safer Internet surveys demonstrate the misunderstanding and misrecognition. Like Bethany’s mother, growing importance of digital intimacy. But they also reveal that those born between 1980 and 1995 might baulk at the notion of our understanding of what constitutes intimacy remains within forming a sincere bond with a series of code, relegating the few the confines of touch – of the human – in order to be recognised outliers who do to the annals of clickbait, ‘did-you-hear?’ stories and valued as true connection. Our understanding of technology and subtly dystopian sci-fi such as Spike Jonze’s 2013 Her. Those and intimacy is still predicated on a human heart, because we with a Lacanian bent towards extimaté (understanding the self cannot fathom forming a meaningful connection with an entity as the manifestation of its desire for the Other) may even accuse that does not have consciousness. Yet our understanding of gen Z relatives who bring their AI partner home for Christmas of consciousness remains murky at best. doing nothing more than engaging in fanciful masturbation at German-American neuroscientist Christof Koch, a pioneer of the dinner table. integrated information theory, argues that consciousness is As they watch gen Z redefine and reconfigure the present and more pervasive than we have hitherto believed; that it exists the future, millennials – that self-proclaimed open and accepting in animals, including insects, and that it is even to be found generation – should remember how it felt the first time someone at the microphysical level. In his 2019 book The Feeling of Life older dismissed their taste, preference, or notion of self. It will Itself, Koch argues that consciousness is not a singular, static serve them well as they fall even further out of touch. state but a continuum of subjectivities extending from “a tiny glow of experience”. Human experience may be defined by https://mattersjournal.com/stories/out-of-touch conscious perception, but our self-awareness does not preclude another organism’s non-perceptive consciousness. Externalist philosophers such as David Chalmers and Andy Clark argue that consciousness (defined by Koch, simply, as the feeling of being alive) does not exist within the human nervous system, but rather resides in the interaction between our bodies and the external objects we perceive. Consciousness becomes a collective act. Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, but in the look; taste is not in the tongue, but in the bite – and the delectable object bites back.

If this is true, then the possibility of digital intimacy becomes so much more than what we have limited it to thus far. Intimacy does not a priori require a human-like consciousness at the other end; it can be formed in the interaction between the perceptive self and the perceived digital space. Relationships with AI become a real, meaningful prospect as our consciousness reaches out to touch an algorithm that itself holds a glow of experience.

Uninhibited intimacy with the digital is perhaps unlikely for anyone born before the true Internet Age. In Years and Years, Bethany believes her parents are out of touch because they can’t understand her desire to become transhuman. The cause 24 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Father Pedro Opeka NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE

Father Pedro Opeka traveled to Rome this week to share his At the age of 18, he entered the seminary of the Congregation for testimony as a missionary and to raise awareness in the world of the the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul in San Miguel, Argentina. Two opportunity to eradicate poverty. years later he traveled to Europe to study philosophy in Slovenia and theology in France. He then spent two years as a missionary in “The poor have evangelized me!” exclaimed the Argentinean Madagascar. missionary priest who works in Madagascar. In 1975 he was ordained a priest at the Basilica of Lujan, and in 1976 Fr. Pedro is giving three talks in Rome this week entitled, “Overcoming he returned to Madagascar, where he has remained to this day. poverty: the testimony of Fr. Pedro.” Upon seeing the desperate poverty in the capital city of Antananarivo, Fr. Pedro explained to CNA that he wants to send the message of the especially at the landfills where people live in cardboard boxes and Gospel to the world so that “everyone on this earth, everyone on this children compete with pigs for food, he decided to do something planet, will be brothers and sisters and (will) help one another.” for the poor. “In this world where there is so much wealth, there should not be In 1990, he founded the Akamasoa Humanitarian Association, which thousands of people who live in hunger. This is an injustice that cries means “Good Friends,” in order to serve those in need. out to heaven.” With help from abroad and the work of the people of Madagascar, Africa and Madagascar is a continent of great suffering, said Fr. he founded small villages, schools, food banks, small businesses and Pedro, who has been working in Madagascar for 40 years. even a hospital. “My message is one of solidarity, of sharing what we have, because Today, the five villages he founded are home to more than 17,000 the wealth we have has been given to us to share, because what I people, 60 percent of which are children under the age of 15. Some don’t need goes to waste. There is an Indian proverb that says, ‘Why 9,500 children attend his schools and the Association provides save something when there is a neighbor who needs it?’” the priest employment to more than 3,500 people. said. Some 300,000 people have received aid in one form or another from Fr. Pedro said poverty can be overcome by imitating Jesus Christ. the Association. “I can say today, it is possible to overcome poverty. It is possible Father Pedro has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on to return to the poor their dignity as children of God. I live amidst numerous occasions and has been the recipient of numerous awards a people in poverty, a people living in extreme poverty, and with in Europe, including the Cardinal Van Thuan Prize for Development dignity, faith and compassion we lift ourselves out of this extreme and Solidarity, given to him by the Vatican in 2008. poverty,” he said.

FATHER PEDRO’S STORY

Pedro Pablo Opeka was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1948. His parents, Luis Opeka and Maria Marolt, were Slovenian immigrants who came to the country in January of 1948 to escape communism in Slovenia.

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Finding TIME Today, the very title of Josef Pieper’s 1948 book, Leisure: The Basis of And what is leisure?, Seerveld asks. There is an almost childlike faith Culture, is liable to be read as a provocation. It’s almost impossible for to his answer that could be confused with naïveté: us to hear of “leisure” without imagining it as a luxury and therefore A biblical conception of leisure for me is that ample time becomes an aspect of privilege, too often ill-gotten. But of course there’s a a coefficient of one’s daily work activity. In the gospel story I read, book beyond that title, and Pieper’s argument about the generative the apostles, through the pressure of their kingdom work, did not capacity of leisure is not about moneyed ease but cultivating the have enough time to sit down for a meal; “Let’s take a break,” said soul’s capacity for contemplation—the sort of posture of receptivity Jesus. When you have enough time in what you are humanly doing, that makes possible both aesthetic appreciation and spiritual you have leisure. When there is time for you to move around in examination. Pieper doesn’t offer an apologia for aristocratic unpremeditatedly, you experience leisure. When it is possible for privilege; he issues a clarion call for any and every human to resist you to enter into an unexpected opportunity that arises, you are the predation of “total work.” If that was needed in 1948, how much blessed with leisure. more now? Learning to say “no” might be the start of finding such time, Since the Protestant work ethic of my own religious tradition tends reclaiming the margins from the creep of total work. But this is also a to squeeze such leisure with demands for productivity, I’m especially word for those of us who are leaders, who have the agency to shape appreciative of the way Cal Seerveld, a philosopher of art in the environments and cultivate the ethos of workplaces, or even just Reformed tradition, weds the aesthetic life with the sabbath-like households. What can we be doing to give people room for such need for leisure. Seerveld pulls no punches about the diabolical surprises, helping them find time to take up the unexpected and forces that seek to wrest rest from our lives: “The Pragmatist culture “move around” in it? The gift we give them might be their humanity. and Agent no. 666 mentality squeeze leisure out of ordinary life,” he writes in Normative Aesthetics. Those of us who live in “technocratic Taken from ART + FAITH + MYSTERY Image Journal Babylon” need to be wary of “the insidious Agent no. 666 distortion of our humanity.” If leisure is the basis of culture, it is also the incubator for an authentic humanism. 26 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

What are your plans for 2021? Career: Establish our consultancy in three States (Vic, WA , NSW) of affordable housing across the nation for young people and couples and at the same time attain the highest level of personal consultant starting out has causes that can be changed. accreditation for each State and then have my sons take over and retire Our immigration Policies, with particular reference to Refugees borders me ( your fired you old fart!) so I can slow down and do other things. on being inhumane and is based on an ideology that is driven by fear. Fun: Become a competent guitar player to complement my emerging The last time I looked our constitution specifically failed to mention talent as a singer (OMG). Teach Vinnie and Jacek how to harmonise. or recognize our indigenous brothers and sisters. How can this be so? Family: With all my heart and soul I want my family to be re-united as a When the first fleet arrived the whole continent contained aborigines loving family so that when my next birthday arrives they will all be there and still contains the remnants of arguably the oldest and most earth to sing Happy Birthday. preserving culture. The highest child mortality rate in Australia occurs within the indigenous community. One of the lowest life expectancy Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? rates of ethnic groups occurs within our indigenous community. The Covid has provided some opportunities for spiritual development for rate of juvenile and adult incarceration of indigenous people in this me. It has allowed me to devote more time to think and pray about country is much higher as a percentage of their population than other things that are more essential to a good life. I do not know if it has ethnic group. These things can be changed. changed my plans but it certainly has allowed me to more clearly If you had the power what would you change? understand what is really important - when there is nothing else what really matters. If there is one change I have made it is to leave it all to the This is very hard to say - it is a matter of priorities and what we can Lord as I have learnt I am a lousy planner. control. I would like to focus on changing and eradicating everything within my own family that separates us. I would also think that the Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19 benefits of this would flow on into the community. Isn’t this the case I am still the persistent sinner, the person who still does things and with most families? thinks things that I am ashamed of and which put a space between me Where do you see yourself in five years? Sleeping at peace with my and my God; but my faith is stronger and my joy greater because I have ancestors. learnt that no matter what I do he always loves me. What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? I have learnt how to cut my hair and trim my beard - not sure whether I should keep the beard - happy to take comments. Assuming things do not change - an amalgamation of the worse city conditions in any of the most overcrowded cities of the world managed How do you see the Australian Community at this time? by an Australian version of the current US political system ; OR I think there are too many occasions when we are essentially self centred If things change - a country that values everyone of its citizens, that really and focused on personal entitlements. We are great nation when things does give everyone a fair go and where men are adroit as women in are not so good or when threatened by disasters or a common threat. changing nappies and doing the dishes, and where the age expectancy We come together as community and show compassion and the desire is the same for both men and women. to help each other but as soon as the threat or issue passes it is back to the stupefying secular herd culture that is slowly replacing the Australia What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050 I grew up in. I sometimes wish that there was some sort of switch that In rough order: China, India, Indonesia, USA and Russia could be thrown to shutdown the overwhelming media perspectives fixated on politics (especially what is happening in the USA) and If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/who or peddling information all designed to manipulate the masses to act and what do you think would be his/her first priorities? behave in specific ways to the advantage a largely secretive elite. The world has lost its moral centre. Greed is rampant. Today the local Do you think we are a just society ? and world news is replete, overflowing daily with appalling examples of people treating other people badly, inhumanely and where small elite No. There are too many different areas one could address and with groups of individuals form and steer government entirely to their own little more than a cursory consideration come to the conclusion that the benefit. situation is not just, is not fair and equitable or favours a few. If the “Messiah” came back today he/she would be faced with the same When I was a kid I went through school from primary to tertiary world order that our Lord faced. In order to implement the will of God education - largely for free. My parents could not have afforded the the Messiah would need to remind us of the virtues that lead to a good fees and cost of educating me that exist today. The greatest expense life. Poverty is surely something he/she would address as a first priority. my wife and I had after our mortgage was educating our kids. Today Healing disease is another. I feel anguish for those parents of modest incomes whose children are disadvantaged by education costs that are way beyond the capacity of The welfare and sustenance of all things Family are placed firmly at the people to pay. Education should be an entitlement to all. the centre of all good governance thereby addressing and eradicating domestic violence, sexual abuse, abortion, homelessness, loneliness, When Dianne and I were starting out as a family we got a house through depression. the Housing Commission and all I had was a job and no money. The lack Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 27

Meet the 107 YEAR OLD MEET THE 107-YEAR-OLD ATTENDING MASS ALL OVER THE WORLD

Even at her great age Nancy Stewart is embarking on wonderful spiritual adventures.

At 107 years of age, Nancy Stewart from Ireland is taking her faith to unknown places. While Catholics around the world have embraced the wonders of technology by attending Mass online, the centenarian decided that she’d make the most of the situation by attending live-streamed services in all of Ireland’s 32 counties, as reported in the Irish Post.

Stewart has been isolating with her granddaughter, Louise Coghlan, since March and the duo have been keeping busy by sharing their adventures on social media thanks to the Facebook page “Living and Laughing with Lou”that Louise created for her grandmother. online parishioner. After Mass the pair have been phoning the parish The pair have been sharing photos of their precious time together, priests and talking to them about their homily, giving them a real including a recent pic of the ladies displaying their crosses to mark sense of engagement. St Brigid’s Day. The feast of the Irish saint also marks an enlargement What is truly wonderful about the Irish pair’s tour of the Catholic world of the pair’s virtual experience to attend online Mass in countries far is that it’s not only giving them a chance to attend Masses they could and wide. only have dreamed of going to, it’s also giving them an opportunity At her advanced age the great-great-grandmother has received to gain different Catholic insights in the various countries they’re invitations to attend online Masses in New York, Chicago, Rome and visiting — even if it’s from the comfort of their home. London, something she’d never have been able to achieve without We Gratefully acknowledge Cerith Gardiner and Aleteia for allowing the pandemic. And along with her granddaughter she’s planning on us to repulish this uplifting article. https://aleteia.org/ adding to her list.

While the virtual Christian travelers are meeting new parishes, they’re also getting a little more out of the church services than the regular

Something That Might Interest You – CONVERGENCE SCIENCE NETWORK

For us at the Convergence Science Network, the holiday season has been a time of reflection and preparing for another year of sharing with you some of the amazing advances in the biomedical scienc- es. The pandemic is a reminder of the reliance we have as a society on the biomedical research and clinical profession, their knowledge, expertise and advice. As the pace of knowledge, diagnostics, and therapies in biomedicine advances quickly, our mission remains to be a trusted source as we assist the community in making sense of these numerous efforts and their probable impact on our health and well being. As we enter our thirteenth year of service to the commu- nity, we look forward with enthusiasm to give you access to some of the best ideas and brightest people working with incredible passion and commitment on our behalf. http://www.convergencesciencenetwork.com.au/ 28 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 ORIGINAL PAINTING OF THE Divine Mercy Original painting of the Divine Mercy, by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934. The image shows Christ with his right hand raised as if giving a Wikimedia Commons 4.0. blessing, and the left touching his chest. Two rays, one pale, one red – which Jesus said are to signify water and blood – are descending Vilnius, Lithuania, Apr 28, 2019 / 03:03 am MT (CNA).- Among Catholic from his heart. devotions, the Divine Mercy message is well-known: the iconic image of Christ, with rays of red and white pouring from his heart; St. Faustina, St. Faustina recorded all of her visions and conversations with Jesus in called the “Apostle of Divine Mercy;” and the Basilica of Divine Mercy her diary, called Divine Mercy in My Soul. Here she wrote the words of in Krakow, Poland. But what you might not know is that more than Jesus about the graces that would pour out on anyone who prayed 450 miles north of Krakow, in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, there is before the image: another Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, one which houses the first image “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I of the merciful Jesus created, and the only Image of Divine Mercy St. also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially Faustina herself ever saw. at the hour of death. I Myself will defend [that soul] as My own glory.” Archbishop Gintaras Grusas of Vilnius told CNA that the city, often When the image was completed, it was first kept in the corridor of the called the “City of Mercy,” is not only “a place of the Divine Mercy convent of the Bernardine Sisters, which was beside the Church of St. revelations, but also a place that is in need of mercy, throughout Michael where Fr. Sopocko was rector. history, and a place that in the last couple decades has been a place where we need to show mercy.” In March 1936 St. Faustina became sick, with what is believed to have been tuberculosis, and was transferred back to Poland by her Since long before St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy revelations, the superiors. She died near Krakow in October 1938, at the age of 33. Mother of Mercy has been the patroness of Vilnius, Grusas said. “St. Faustina, because of her illness, was brought back to Krakow by In fact, in the 1600s, a painting of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn was her superiors. But she left the painting in Vilnius because it was the created and placed in a niche above one of the prominent city gates. property of her spiritual director, who paid for the painting,” Grusas Many miracles are attributed to the image, which was canonically explained. crowned Mother of Mercy by Pope Pius XI in 1927. Jesus, in one of St. Faustina's visions, had expressed his wish that the It was in this small chapel of the Mother of Mercy, above the gate, image be put in a place of honor, above the main altar of the church. that the image of Divine Mercy was first displayed. So Vilnius has had And so, though St. Faustina had already returned to Poland, on the “mercy upon mercy,” Grusas noted. first Sunday after Easter in 1937, they hung the image of Merciful Jesus The story of St. Faustina and Divine Mercy St. Faustina Kowalska was next to the main altar in the Church of St. Michael. a young Polish nun born at the beginning of the 20th century. Over The history of the image the course of several years she had visions of Jesus, whereby she was directed to create an image and to share with the world revelations of Archbishop Grusas explained that many people have only recently Jesus’ love and mercy. St. Faustina received her first revelation of the learned about the image because it was hidden for many years, and it merciful Jesus in Plock, Poland in February 1931. At the time, she had was only rediscovered and restored within the last 15 years. made her first vows as one of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. During World War II, Lithuania was under Soviet occupation and in In 1933, after she made her perpetual vows, her superior directed her 1948, the communist government closed the Church of St. Michael to move to the convent house in Vilnius. She stayed there for three and abolished the convent. Many of the sacred objects and artworks years and this is where she received many more visions of Jesus. were moved to another church to be saved from Soviet hands, but the Vilnius is also where she found a priest to be her spiritual director, the Divine Mercy image was left undisturbed in St. Michael's for several now-Bl. Michael Sopocko. years.

With the help of Fr. Sopocko, St. Faustina found a painter to fulfill the In 1951, two women were able to pay the keeper of St. Michael's church request Jesus had made to her in one of the visions – to “paint an and save the image. Since it couldn't be taken across the border to image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I Poland, they gave it to the priest in charge of the Church of the Holy trust in You” – and in 1934 the painter Eugene Kazimierowski created Spirit for safekeeping. the original Divine Mercy painting under St. Faustina’s direction. Five years later it was moved to a church in Belarus, where it remained In its creation, St. Faustina “was instrumental in making all the for over a decade. In 1970 this church too was shut down by the adjustments with the painter,” Archbishop Grusas said. government and looted, but miraculously, again the Image of Divine Mercy was untouched. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 29

Eventually it was brought back to Lithuania in secret and again given to the Church of the Holy Spirit. In the early 2000s its significance was rediscovered and after a professional restoration it was rehung in the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity in 2005, which is now the Shrine of Divine Mercy.

So though it is a more recent arrival on the international scene, the painting “is also probably the most profound of the Divine Mercy paintings,” Grusas said. “It has a very deep theology, very closely tied with St. Faustina's diary.”

The Shrine of Divine Mercy Today in Vilnius the archdiocese has begun to set up a guide for pilgrims who come and wish to visit the holy sites, such as the place where St. Faustina lived, the room where the image was painted, and the several churches which all held the painting at different points. The Shrine of Divine Mercy itself is not a large place, since it’s only a converted parish church, but its sacramental life “is really quite something,” said Justin Gough, an American seminarian studying in Rome who spent a summer working in the Archdiocese’s pilgrim office in Vilnius.

He said that “between Mass, the Divine Mercy chaplet every day in Lithuanian and Polish, adoration 24/7… vespers every Sunday night led by the youth of Vilnius,” the rosary and the sacrament of Confession, there is always some sort of prayer or sacrament taking place. Divine Mercy Of course the original Image of Divine Mercy is also there, he pointed out, and yet the shrine is not just about the image, but about PRAYER connecting the image and what it represents to prayer and the reception of God’s mercy through the sacraments. By St. Faustina Kowalska “I think it's ironic in a certain sense that God teaches us about his mercy O greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, through a holy woman who died at the age of 33,” he said. “She lived today all makind calls out from the abyss a very devout life, endured great sufferings for the sake of Christ, and of its misery to Your mercy---to Your compassion, yet it's through people like her that we're taught, great sinners that we O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. are, how to actually receive God's mercy and to be merciful to others.” Gracious God do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, In Vilnius, it’s a great blessing “to know a saint of the 20th century Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, walked here, prayed here, and experienced Christ here, and that we and know that by our own power can do that as well.” we cannot ascend to You, This article was originally published on CNA Nov. 26, 2017. we implore You; anticipate us with Your Grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, Father Seraphim Michalenko, ardent promoter of Divine Mercy, dies that we may faithfully do Your holy will at 90 all through our life and at death's hour. Springfield, Mass., Feb 13, 2021 / 09:01 am MT (CNA).- Father Seraphim Let the omnipotence of Your mercy Michalenko, MIC, a widely recognized expert on the life and spirituality shield us from the darts of our salvation's enemies, of St. Faustina Kowalska and the message of Divine Mercy, died that we may with confidence, Thursday in Massachusetts after contracting COVID-19. He was 90. as Your children await Your final coming

“The Lord, in His mercy and love, was faithful to Fr. Seraphim and - that day known to You alone. graciously helped him at every stage of his work in the promotion And we expect to obtain everything promised us of the Divine Mercy message and devotion,” the Marians of the by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. Immaculate Conception wrote in a Feb. 12 announcement. “Father For Jesus is our Hope: Seraphim always relied on the unfathomable mercy and kindness Through His merciful Heart of our Lord, in whom he trusted completely. And he was never as through an open gate we pass through to heaven. disappointed.” (Diary of St. Faustina 1570) 30 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Life in ISOLATION I’m now 5 days into isolation for the second time since July 2020. It was 5 days In Melbourne which could turn into who knows what. Or 14 days in Adelaide because SA closed its border. Living in SA. I understand the privilege of having relative freedom as opposed to Victorians. So I got into my car and high tailed it out of there!

My first 14 days back in July was my choice because I wanted to have So as of Wednesday, Victorians are once again free, the border is a break, a holiday because that's my right, my freedom to go about open, and I'm 5 days into isolation. my life as I choose? It just doesn't make much sense really. Well maybe not. Life has changed life is different and I now have to Each day I ponder what will I do to fill my day. follow rules. Well everything has been cleaned, the cooking has been done. 10 days into lock down I could feel myself experiencing mild depres- There is enough food for 50 people in my house of one. sion. Loneliness and I attributed that to, I don't mind my own com- pany but reality is I can only stand just a few days of myself, then I Will I shower? Will I wash my dirty hair? Will I even get out of my pj's? need human stimulation. Decisions Decisions.

Second time of isolation I am currently doing thanks to Victorian Only 9 days to go and I remind myself that I have a beautiful view Covid. from my balcony and my life is good because many don't have the I came to Melbourne for a break which, in hindsight I probably knew privileges I enjoy. that things could get worse. I admire what all Victorians had to endure.

But I thought Victorians have had to endure worse and the gov- The reality I believe is this is our reality. ernment would not put you all through that again without a lot of Thank you to Helen M for providing this insight into the dilemma’s thought. many people are, and have had to face throughout this pandemic. So there I was with lock down going to happen again.

Do I stay or do I go? Around The Parish DINNER A few familiar faces who just managed to sqeeze in their first dinner out in over a year on the Thursday night prior to the recent lockdown.

Obviously we were a bit short on food! Someone got a bit carried away with the excitement of being “out to dinner”. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 31

Affirming Human Dignity FOR ALL We live in a time when around the world so many lives seem not case of abortion, too, any right that might attach to a living embryo to matter. Whether they be Uighur lives, women’s lives, Black lives, to develop into an independently living human being is commonly Yemeni lives or refugee lives. So widely disregarded in practice, the outweighed by a woman’s right to decide what is done to her own large claim that every life has value, however, oftentimes has to be body, particularly in situations of great need. In all these cases public justified. The ultimate reason is that each human being is precious security, personal need or individual choice are understood to and has an inalienable dignity. No person may be used as a means outweigh the personal right to life. The understanding is generally to another’s end. upheld by popular opinion, particularly in times of crisis.

Furthermore, human beings depend on one another to come into 'If we insist that each human life matters, we should be doubly life and at every stage of life. For that reason we are not isolated grateful that people from particular groups in society protest individuals but are bound in relationships to one another and to our against discrimination that devalues and puts at risk their lives, and world. That interconnection at the heart of our humanity explains insist that the lives of people in their group matter.' why our lives matter to others. The desire to save or make money also often outweighs in practice Life means more than merely not being dead. It includes our others’ right to life. The use of unsafe building materials, the relationships: personal, and those to our ethnic, religious, political adulteration of food and the release of toxins into the air or water and social groups and to the institutions of which we are part. For sources have taken many lives. Many more people die, however, that reason we can properly speak of Black lives, Catholic lives, because of the choice to do nothing. Despite there being enough Californian lives, Muslim lives and LGBTQ+ lives. food in the world to feed everyone and enough medicine to cure many, many people because drugs are patented and they have no The network of relationships that constitutes each human life access to surplus food. If we were to put a price on human life, we suggests that we should consider how each human life matters. would have to say that the life of a person in an undeveloped nation This consideration draws attention to the precious humanity of each matters less than that of someone in a wealthy nation. person and to the concrete relationships that shape their distinctive humanity. It leads us naturally to ask whether the way in which those That respect for life is so vulnerable in so many contexts makes it social and power relationships are structured in society respects the clear that in order to protect lives it is essential to change attitudes. equal humanity of each person or discriminates against it. This demands that societies must recognise the economic, racial, ideological and social structures that breed contempt for life, and If we insist that each human life matters, we should be doubly must dismantle them. To ensure that all lives do count it is essential grateful that people from particular groups in society protest against to change attitudes so that the life of someone who has committed a discrimination that devalues and puts at risk their lives, and insist crime is as valuable as a person is as that of someone who is innocent, that the lives of people in their group matter. Black lives, Rohinga and that starvation anywhere in the world is the business of all, lives, Uighur lives, Communist lives, asylum seeker lives and, I would despite the cost of its prevention. Ultimately the coming together of argue, the lives of the unborn are equally precious and equally prejudice and the readiness to treat people as means to others’ ends command respect. Movements that defend them assert that each makes lives not matter. human life matters. Andrew Hamilton is consulting editor of Eureka Street, and writer at Why, then, is any defence of human life controversial? One reason Jesuit Social Services. may be the tension between the grief and disturbance that we often feel when confronted with death, and the sheer number of We acknowledge Eureka Street and Andrew Hamilton for allowing us to people who lose their lives avoidably. People die in war, in avoidable present this article. https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/ starvation, are executed by governments or mobs, die of neglect, from domestic violence, in road and industrial accidents, in protests. They take their own lives, die as a result of decisions that are not their own in hospitals and elsewhere. Because it is impossible to feel equally for all, it is easy to be hostile to attempts to appeal to our compassion or anger for particular groups.

More significantly, campaigns to protect the right to life of particular groups often stand in conflict with the rights claimed by others to take those lives. Governments, for example, variously give their officers the right and even the duty to take away lives: in response to violent uprisings, in conducting war, in protecting themselves and others when policing, and in legally sanctioned executions. In the 32 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Halki Summit highlights care for CREATION AMID PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic has provoked difficult questions about the The question of COVID’s relationship with environmental degradation links between the simultaneous health and ecological crises. How has was pursued from several perspectives. Dr Gayle Woloschak, environmental vandalism contributed to the spread of zoonotic disease? Northwestern University professor of radiation oncology, noted that How will the pandemic affect our collective response to climate change while in the past most zoonotic viral infections came from domestic and biodiversity loss? These issues were examined in late January at the animals, now they come from wild animals. Epidemiologist Dr Nadia virtual Halki Summit, the latest in a long series of environment-focused Abuelezam highlighted the links between infectious diseases and events convened by the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate. The ‘breakdowns’ in ecological systems such as deforestation, concluding Ecumenical Patriarch is the ‘first among equals’ of Orthodox bishops. that ‘all of these ecologies are interconnected’. Theologian Metropolitan Halki, or Heybeliada, is the island near Istanbul where previous summits John Zizioulas asked the question ‘What about after the vaccine?’, and were hosted. called for a ‘healthy relationship with nature’, based on an ethos that ‘nature is not our property’, to prevent recurring catastrophes. In recent years, environmental protection has become increasingly pronounced in Orthodox Church teaching. The Moscow Patriarchate’s 'These interventions remind us that dealing with the climate 2000 document on ‘The Bases of the Social Concept’ affirms that emergency is not some technocratic exercise, but rather a profound ‘ecological problems are essentially anthropological as they are and unavoidable question of justice.' generated by man, not nature’. The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s 2020 Regarding global cooperation on climate change and related ‘social ethos’ document, ‘For the Life of the World’, states that ‘our challenges, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University argued that ecological crisis must be seen not merely as an ethical dilemma; it is ‘we are in the midst of a fundamental change of values from the wealth an ontological and theological issue that demands a radical change of of nations to the wellbeing of nations’, drawing a connection between mind and a new way of being’. the teachings of various faiths and ‘global value change’. Stressing the The same document acknowledges climate change as ‘an issue of social practical opportunities for green economic transition and noting the welfare and social justice’, given its disproportionate impacts on the series of major environmental summits coming up, Sachs claimed that already disadvantaged. It argues that ‘our pursuit of alternative sources 2021 ‘can be a great turning point, because the values of protecting of energy and our efforts to reduce our impact on the planet as much as creation have spread’. Theologian Fr. John Chryssavgis responded that possible are now necessary expressions of our vocation to transfigure the Vatican and Ecumenical Patriarch are ‘working closely together’ to the world’. champion these issues at the Glasgow climate conference scheduled for November 2021. The Ecumenical Patriarchate hosted a series of meetings on the environment in the late eighties and early nineties (interestingly, The dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches has in parallel to the intergovernmental negotiations of that time). In come a long way since the mutual lifting of anathemas by Pope Paul 1989, Patriarch Bartholomew’s predecessor, Demetrios, declared 1 VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in 1965. Deepening cooperation on the September a day of prayer for the environment — a practice adopted ecological crisis may be a key opportunity to further strengthen ties, in by Pope Francis in 2015. Pope Francis’ words, ‘by walking together’.

Since beginning his patriarchate in 1991, Bartholomew has consistently Those of us who work on secular processes to address climate change advocated for environmental protection. In Laudato si’, Pope Francis should welcome the contributions of religious leaders, and indeed of wrote that ‘Bartholomew has drawn attention to the ethical and other thinkers concerned with ethics. These interventions remind us that spiritual roots of environmental problems, which require that we look dealing with the climate emergency is not some technocratic exercise, for solutions not only in technology but in a change of humanity; but rather a profound and unavoidable question of justice. Also, the otherwise we would be dealing merely with symptoms’. actions and advocacy of civil society — including religious organisations — can contribute to a groundswell of momentum for more ambitious In opening the summit, Bartholomew explained that due to the climate agreements, as before the 2015 Paris conference. impact of COVID-19 on people’s lives, ‘we wanted to dedicate a series of discussions to the relationship and connections between the Stephen Minas is associate professor of law at Peking University and pandemic and climate change’. Bartholomew noted that ‘humanity’s senior research fellow at the Transnational Law Institute, King’s College persistent and excessive “intrusion” into nature’ had been ‘responsible London, where Stephen completed a PhD in law. Stephen has worked for the quick spread of contagious diseases and viruses from animal to on climate issues in various capacities in domestic and international animal, including man’. He concluded that the ‘pandemic is not an act processes. He is an alumnus of Newman College. of “revenge” by God, but it is a desperate call to a much more respectful We acknowledge and thank Stephen Minas and Eureka Street for allowing approach to nature by all of us’. us to republish. https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/ Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 33

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time READINGS: JOB 7:1-4,6-7; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-19;22-23; MARK 1:29-39

Last week we heard that in the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus’ the one who would be presumed to be unclean. He then lifts her up teaching made a deep impression and he was seen to confront evil and she sets about serving others. The scripture commentator Jose and to drive out evil in one possessed. His reputation spread like Enrique Aguilar Chiu writes: wildfire throughout Galilee. ‘There is more contained in the verb used to indicate that Jesus “lifted Listen at https://soundcloud.com/frank-brennan-6/homily-7221 her”. Mark employs the verb “raise up” (egeiro) which is also used in reference to resurrection. Hence, Jesus’ action of liberating someone From the synagogue, he goes straight to the house of Simon’s mother from evil appears as a resurrection, as if she is brought from death in law together with all four disciples he had called at the beginning to life. It is also meaningful that the action of the woman, who has of the gospel. Once again he confronts evil and he cures the sick. just been healed, is indicated through the verb “serve” (diakoneo) But this time, this religious activity takes place not in the Temple or – a word used to characterise the Christian vocation, following the in a synagogue, but in an ordinary house. During this time of COVID example of Jesus as the one who came “to serve”. As the woman lockdowns, we too have moved much of our spiritual and religious (and every disciple) receives the hand of Jesus, she is saved from her activity from churches to more familiar places of daily habitation. illness and moved “to serve” others beginning with those at home.’ Jesus is able to confront evil wherever he goes and wherever he finds Jesus reaches out and touches the one in need. He raises the sick it. He is able to extend a helping and healing hand to anyone who one who then serves him and humanity. And ‘the whole town came seeks it. But once he does, the whole town comes crowding around crowding around the door’. Sixteeen years ago, I had the good the door. In the synagogue, Jesus healed by speaking to the one fortune to be in Rome for a Jesuit meeting. On the Sunday, some afflicted. Here, Jesus reaches out and touches the one who is sick, new saints were being canonised. One of them was Alberto Hurtado who was a Chilean Jesuit lawyer committed to the rights of the poor. He died at 51, the age I was at the time of his canonisation. There was a sense of providence and good chance that I, a 51 year old Jesuit lawyer, was there to witness the canonisation of another 51 year old Jesuit lawyer. I attended the mass in St Peter’s Square recalling Hurtado’s words: ‘If someone has begun to live for God in self denial and love for others, all the forms of misery will come knocking at his door’. An elderly Sister of Mercy who worked for many years with the homeless once made the observation, ‘Sometimes, you need to walk around the beggar at the door.’

Having been besieged by requests for help, Jesus rose long before dawn, leaving the house, going to a lonely place to pray. Hurtado once said, ‘I am often like a rock that is beaten on all sides by the towering waves. There is no way out but up. For an hour a day, I let the waves thrash against the rock; I do not look toward the horizon, I only look up to God.’ ‘God is the only possible escape from my concerns, my only refuge.’ Hurtado was described as ‘a fire that kindles other fires’, a theme taken up in the General Congregation of the Jesuits held in Rome 2008.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus relishes the opportunity to get away to a lonely place to pray. When the disciples came to Jesus declaring, ‘everyone is looking for you’, he did not accompany them back to the house but insisted that they accompany him immediately on a journey to the neighbouring country towns. Once again, Mark gives us no content of Jesus’ preaching. He simply states that Jesus 34 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

‘went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting resonance: ‘Is not man’s life on earth nothing more than pressed out devils.’ Jesus does not set up institutions. He does not keep service, his time no better than hired drudgery…Remember that my coming back for after sales service. He is the itinerant preacher, the life is but a breath’. peripatetic healer. The events in Myanmar this past week confirm just how dastardly During the week, we saw a model of a preacher and healer when and hopeless was the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January – the Cardinal Charles Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon and President of the mob’s actions being a beacon to the anti-democratic forces in our Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, issued a pastoral letter in world, against the backdrop of a building which has long been a the midst of a coup in Myanmar, with the nation’s problems crowded beacon of democracy in our world. If Trump supporters felt justified around his door. in taking the law and election results into their own hands, how much more immune to criticism and pressure are those like the Myanmar He wrote not as a politician but as a spiritual leader, writing ‘with military who have the power and will to storm their Capitol. love towards all, seeking a durable solution, praying for an end forever to the periodic darkness that envelops our dear nation’. Even when we feel powerless to put right the misery at our door and First he addressed the people of Myanmar pleading that they ‘stay to heal the ills of our body politic, we are still called to act rightly calm, never fall victim to violence. We have shed enough blood. Let respecting the dignity of all, espousing the ideals, maintaining hope, not any more blood be shed in this land.’ Next he addressed the and praying for the coming of the kingdom. When Pope Francis Army: ‘Allegations of voting irregularities could have been solved by visited Myanmar in November 2017, many commentators were dialogue, in presence of neutral observers. A great opportunity was critical of him and Aung San Suu Kyi because he (obviously acting lost….How will you gain the trust of our people? They will trust only on local advice) would not mention the Rohingya refugees by name when words are matched by sincere actions.’ Then he addressed while in Myanmar. Francis waited until he met face to face with the the elected leaders: ‘Truth will prevail. God is the ultimate arbiter Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, calling them by name. I was in of truth. But God waits….This incident takes place due to lack of Myanmar a few weeks later. Cardinal Bo told me that he was the one dialogue and communication and lack of acceptance of one another. who told the pope that it would be unwise to mention the Rohingya Please listen to others.’ by name while in Myanmar. It’s in the midst of these difficult crises that Paul’s words to the Corinthians make some sense: ‘For the weak Having then addressed the international community about the need I made myself weak. I made myself all things to all people in order for foreigners to understand well Myanmar’s history and political to save some at any cost’. Let’s trust, pray for, and hope in Cardinal economy, he urged everyone: ‘Engaging the actors in reconciliation Charles Bo and Aung San Suu Kyi in the days ahead. is the only path….Let us solve all disputes through dialogue. Peace is possible. Peace is the only way. Democracy is the only light to that Fr Frank Brennan SJ is the Rector of Newman College, Melbourne, the path.’ Distinguished Fellow of the P M Glynn Institute, Australian Catholic University, and the former CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia Cardinal Bo’s message may not be heeded. But we join him with (CSSA). prayers and hope. Unlike Jesus, none of us is assured the capacity to drive out evil and put right the misery at our door. For each of us, Published with permission - https://catholicoutlook.org/ the words of Job in today’s first reading have their place and their

Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 35

Maroondah Winter Shelter 2021 Throughout the lockdown period MWS has not been able to provide and volunteers to facilitate the distribution. Jacki will again be our usual shelter and meals for our local homeless community coordinating the program. Our first Sunday is on Feb 28. but we have not been idle. Homelessness and poverty still haunts How can you help? Maroondah. If you can cook we can use your service. The more cooks we have The seven local churches of MWS has changed focus for this period then the fewer times each will be called upon. to provide take away meals delivered to accommodation houses and distributed from Café Vive in Croydon and Urban Café in Ringwood. If you are good with people we need volunteers to manage the distribution. Obviously compliance with Covid19 Restrictions have been implemented to protect both clients and volunteers. It must have If you would like to donate, we would prefer Supermarket Vouchers worked because MWS distributed over 1325 meals, delivered 247 that can be given out to clients (esp. families). meals to housing, supporting 526 people ..... in the month of Aug We aren’t taking general groceries but we can use Long Life Milk, 2020 alone. Bottled Water, Breakfast Cereals and Tinned Soups. These can be Holy Spirit’s involvement has been provided by Jacki Wooten and left at the School Admin during the week or at the Church (at mass her team of cooks. Our deepest appreciation goes to Jacki and those times). other generous people. To donate cash, please go to the Maroondah Winter Shelter webpage With the new year comes a new look. and donate online.

Holy Spirit will be teaming with Uniting Church North Ringwood If you can help please call Jacki on 0488 013 666 or jacki.carman@ (Dickson Cres) to provide meals from the café’s on Sunday evenings hotmail.com or Silvio on 0431 399 938 or [email protected]. once a month. We will need 85 meals so that means cooks

Roger's BIRTHDAY Yesterday was Roger’s Birthday we would like to Thank all of his family and friends, and friends of friends, who sent him birthday wishes. It’s been a tough year for him. He had a lovely day with family and friend and we all had lots of laughs. Thanks to everyone for there support and love. 36 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

What are your plans for 2021? SILVIO plans for a bit more travel with our spare time. I hope to be more involved with St V de P or other community support – probably Career: To catchup with some customer projects that have been put outside of the Catholic Church. The other religious groups do it on the back burner for such a long time due to Covid-19 and my own much better than we do at the grass roots level. “busy-ness”. To decide if I should continue in leadership at HSP or is it time to get out of the way and let others have a go. To perhaps What do you think Australia will look like in 2050? change my business model – less gardens and heavy stuff and more In another 30 years we will probably be a state of Southern China. repair type work. I think we will have anti-virus serums that will protect us from Fun: Fun is not something I seek outside of interaction on a personal Covid-19 type pandemics and in that light we will be as global or level with people I am in contact with. probably even more so. We are a mobile people – travelers by nature Family: Just being there for my children and grandchildren. Nothing – and that will continue. I hope we will have found a niche for our different. talents and become a center of excellence for something supporting the development in India, China and surrounding nations. We could Has Covid-19 changed your life’s plans? be the food bowl for the southern atmosphere. To that extent our Only through coping with the restrictions. I see it as a bump in the population will be more multicultural with a greater emphasis on road. Although, as much as I enjoy travel and had plans for regular people from these nations. More Asian than European based. overseas travel, I am not sure that I am comfortable with overseas What nations do you think will be the world powers in 2050 travel and may not be for many years. I’d have to think China, India and US but a trading cartel in this region Are you a better/worse person now than prior to Covid-19 could be a possible force. Don’t need wars. Trade cartels have such I think a bit worse. I am more judgmental of others and what they influence. do especially if they don’t comply or are selfish. I am also more The influence of the Middle East Oil Cartels will be lessened due to intolerant of people who want to blame and criticize expecting electric cars. Russia has size but unless they have lithium mines I perfection in every situation – so unrealistic. can’t see the Russian influence persisting. How do you see the Australian Community at this time? If the” Messiah” returned today what social justice issues/who or I don’t see the Australian Community as one entity. I see elements what do you think would be his/her first priorities? that are selfish and self-interested and that disappoints me. The I think the next time around he/she wouldn’t be having to establish a supermarket phenomenon points to self-interest exacerbated by base for a new religion so he/she would be acting on a global basis. panic. To that extent he would want to address the Dignity of Each Person. I also see elements that are extremely generous with their time Share the wealth of the globe, education and opportunity equality. and their skills; and innovative with new approaches in providing A bit like the Star Trek age. support for others.

There is also a huge group that just gets on with it. They do what is needed and want the best for everyone as a whole.

Do you think we are a just society?

I think the answer is similar to the one above. There are those who want to be selfish and take advantage over others. There are others who think only of the benefit of others. The majority however I think are still just and probably more focused because of the pandemic.

If you had the power what would you change?

Apart from stopping someone in Woohan from picking up a bat. Hindsight is perfect vision so there are many potential changes but each creates a different path and who knows where they would lead. No great insights from me. Sorry.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In 5 years Ada and I will be in our early seventies so still quite young just slowing down. Probably won’t be working. I’d hope to have Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 37

See, Hear and Act for PROJECT COMPASSION 2021

Spanning the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion is an on Tuesday August 4, 2020, an already precarious economy has been extraordinary demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of Caritas tossed into freefall and life in the city totally upended. Australia’s supporters in the name of justice and peace. Millions of Australians While sudden disasters aren’t new to the city of Beirut, the severity come together in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, of the explosion, which killed over 200 people and wounded over promote justice and uphold dignity. This year Project Compassion begins on 5,000, brought the city to its knees. In all of this, the COVID-19 Wednesday February 17: Ash Wednesday. Visit lent.caritas.org.au now pandemic has been a ‘threat multiplier,’ further extending Beirut’s ONE HUMAN FAMILY already over-stretched health system, short-staffed hospitals and long emergency waiting lists, with a new influx of patients injured In this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to work in partnership by the explosion. Through your support, the Caritasnetwork is on to create a society where we all see each other as members of the One the ground providing immediate emergency support and relief. Human Family. With the global poverty rate rising for the first time in Our partners, Caritas Lebanon and Catholic Relief Services, are 20 years (source: World Bank) we are still facing the ‘global scandal of implementing home visits for those wounded in the explosion, by hunger and poverty.’ Thank you for being a light in dark places during doctors and nurses. these challenging times. Here are some outlines on the ways that Caritas Australia are responding to the impacts of coronavirus with a renewed emphasis on education and preparation: through the distribution of hygiene kits and grassroots community efforts to socialise hand-washing and other good hygiene practices. The Beirut explosion has also inspired creative solidarity in response to an urgent crisis and you can read more about how Lebanese-Australians have stepped up in support of their motherland.

Participants in the Caritas Australia supported Healthy, Happy and Holistic Development program in the Solomon Islands are thriving through your support of life- enhancing programs.

BANGLADESH

In Bangladesh, the underlying uncertainty of life in the Rohingya refugee camps has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer than half of Bangladeshis have access to clean drinking water and one fifth of the population live on less than $5 a day. Here are some of the ways that your support is helping respond to needs on the ground: • Emergency cash deposits for community members • Improved hand-washing measures • Use of masks and social distancing

“I am using sandals before going to the toilet, I wash my hands before taking food, I do not leave my shelter if not needed, I don’t touch dirty things, I don’t go if any sick person calls me. We need to keep three hands distance while talking to someone.” - Aashish*, 11, on COVID-19 measures he is practicing through advice from Caritas network staff. *name changed to protect privacy

The Ties that bind

LEBANON

Ever since the devastating explosion which rocked Beirut 38 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

VOICES FROM THE FIELD ANN-MARIE BOUMERHE

Maher Metri is a victim of the Beirut blast which killed over 200 “Through Caritas Australia‘s work, we can help the vulnerable people and wounded thousands more. people of Beirut who have been left with nothing in the wake of this terrible event. We Australians who live in this lucky country have the Maher said the sound of the explosion immediately brought back opportunity to provide financial support to those who don’t have memories of the July 2006 war with Israel, still fresh in his mind. enough to get by. I believe we are blessed in Australia and have an Maher is still in awe for having survived the blast: “Thank God I left the obligation to give what we can to help the people of our beloved restaurant I was at and went outside to check what was happening Lebanon.” after I heard the first explosion. Had I stayed inside I would have died no doubt”. Despite the fact that the country is going through PHILIPPINES difficult times financially and economically, my business was doing In the Philippines, a country prone to intense weather events, well. But now what? I lost everything.” -Maher Metri, Beirut Blast typhoon season is devastating entire communities. Super Typhoon survivor Maher has little hope about restarting his hairdressing Goni, the most powerful storm of 2020, whipped across the eastern business and must start on the long journey to rebuilding his home. Philippines with tremendous force, destroying or damaging houses “We really need your contributions. We were at the verge of collapse, and villages across the country. and now our country is slowly dying,” Maher says. With his shop in A staggering 402,458 families were affected across the Philippines, ruins, Maher is still one of the lucky ones: he is fortunate to have his with the powerful winds of 225 kilometres destroying infrastructure health and has hope that Lebanon can rebuild beyond this crisis. in five regions and across 183 municipalities. This came just a week Inspire hope for young men like Maher with a donation that can after Typhoon Molave killed over 100 people when it arrived in provide emergency cash to rebuild their lives from the ashes of Vietnam, and days after Typhoon Quinta also made landfall on destruction. October 27. Cambodia also experienced heavy flooding in late 2020, impacting over 100,000 families. Winds of 225 kilometres Amongst VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY the most vulnerable are the Manide Indigenous people who live in Ann-Marie is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and a loyal Camarines Norte, a province located in the Bicol Region of Luzon, supporter of Caritas Australia. As a person of Lebanese descent, she is Philippines. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Caritas passionate about the place of the Lebanese community in Australia. Australia’s partners on the ground, including the Socio Pastoral “The Lebanese diaspora is very powerful in its loyalty towards the Action Center Foundation Inc (SPACFI), NASSA/Caritas Philippines motherland. When one triumphs, we triumph as a collective people and Caritas Caceres, have pre-positioned food packs ready for and equally when one mourns, we all mourn together,” Ann-Marie distribution to the most affected parishes. Hot meals, rice, noodles says. Ann-Marie spoke of the significance of her Catholic faith and canned goods have been provided to communities across the during harrowing times like this. “It’s amazing that when in times of Philippines. Looking to the future, Fr. Antonio Labiao, Executive devastation and trials, the simple act of reciting the Lord’s prayer in Director of Caritas partner, NASSA, says that one of the most Arabic is enough to invoke an overwhelming sense of solidarity with immediate priorities is rebuilding or repairing homes for thousands the people of Beirut.” Ann-Marie also spoke of the importance of the of families. “The program includes shelter and livelihood projects,” work of Caritas Australia to provide immediate and long-term relief. Fr. Labiao said. Your support of the Caritas Australia Asia Regional Joseph Khoury is a Caritas Australia supporter who has truly gone Appeal allows us to stand with communites before, during and after ‘above and beyond’ in support of our emergency response in Beirut. emergencies. Visit caritas.org.au/asia to find out more. By setting up a website where he gave away memorabilia and other Tom Powell, the Founder of Red Dust Healing, a cultural healing items to the highest bidder, he is supporting essential rebuilding and program developed from an Indigenous perspective, had already recovery work in his beloved homeland. The proceeds of the sale been working with a team of ‘Deadly Dads’ on the NSW South Coast of the memorabilia raised over $7,000 dollars for Caritas Australia’s before the bushfires last year. Tom is training local communities to Middle East Regional Appeal. Here’s some of what he had to say. facilitate their own workshops during widespread drought, economic “Caritas Australia’s response to the terrible event in Beirut means a instability and the impact of COVID-19. “People are struggling with lot because it shows that Australians care and are willing to give to a lot of anxiety, fear and trauma. Trauma is like the smoke of the others in hard times. That Aussie spirit is evident in the things we do bushfire and so you can be affected by smoke inhalation but the real here to help each other as a nation and as a people.” “The connection issue is dealing with it,” Tom says. “If you don’t put out the fire the I have with Beirut is not simply because I’m of Lebanese heritage smoke will reappear. And the underlying factor to all that is dealing but because I have been there and witnessed first-hand its vibrant with people’s rejection, with their abuse, neglect, abandonment, the culture and colourful lifestyle that’s so well-known across the globe domestic violence the grief and loss.” Through your support, Tom’s as the ‘jewel of the Middle East’.” JOSEPH KHOURY - Thanks Joseph groundbreaking program has reached thousands of people since for your incredible generosity in support of Caritas Australia! Caritas Australia started partnering with him in 2011. Recognising the need for an initiative based on traditional healing practices, Tom has conducted cultural healing workshops with over 17,000 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 39

people in Australia and overseas. “I believe if the problem lies in the kids the same privileges as me, like being able to go to the kitchen community so too does the answer. If you train up local people, who and drink water.” Brooklyn’s mum, Gemma, described the way that better than to be delivering this than those that come from there or his heritage affected his understanding of social justice. “We have are living there,” Tom concludes. so many people in our community from a refugee background. Brooklyn’s Cambodian heritage a point of pride. In this project, he We welcome Stephanie Lalor as the newly-appointed Manager of reflected on his family life, where he stands as a person and where First Australians Program. Her passion for her work is what enables he stands as a citizen.” Incredible effort, Brooklyn! Thank you for her to work alongside First Australian partners and communities drawing on your heritage to educate and empower others facing with a focus on supporting First-Australian led solutions. “I have had dire poverty the privilege of working alongside many committed, dedicated and inspiring individuals and groups, keen to promote justice and support Benjamin Woolf is a student of social work at the University of Western communities as they build their own futures.” Together with our First Sydney and a passionate supporter and advocate for the work of Australian Partners, Caritas Australia has developed an exciting new Caritas Australia. After serving as a youth ministry coordinator at strategy for the coming years. We will focus on continuing to build All Saints Catholic Parish in Liverpool, Western Sydney, Ben joined strong, two-way partnerships that fosters learning and exchange Caritas Australia as a Youth Engagement volunteer. “I support the between Caritas Australia and First Australian-led organisations. “ work of Caritas Australia because I desire a world where we come together as one church, one family, one faith to show love as Jesus OUR COMMUNITY showed us,” Ben says. Ben puts his faith into action by promoting 11-year-old Brooklyn, ran a raffle fundraiser for Caritas Australia as Caritas to his university friends at stalls during O-Week and through a part of his Citizen Award Project at Darling Range Sports College the parish network at All Saints Liverpool who gives generously to in Western Australia. The Citizen Award encourages students to Project Compassion. He believes that we are all deeply connected protect the environment and be active in the community. The Award to each other and can make the world a more just place, especially is given to an upstanding citizen who serves the wider community for the marginalised. “We are one human family because we were with his life. Brooklyn kicked his goal of $300 ‘out of the park’, raffling created in God’s image, each with our own unique qualities, and the away a bag of treats (pictured) to the highest bidder and donating dignity which is found in each of us originates from God himself,” $830 to Caritas Australia’s work with poor communities globally. For Ben says. Brooklyn and his family, a sense of heritage and purpose is one of Scripture says that ‘good news is like cold water to a weary soul,’ the main reasons for his unique connection to Caritas Australia. “My (Proverbs 25:25), so thank you Ben for sharing the inspiring news of mum’s family is from Cambodia, I have been there with her and I community-empowerment all over the world! am inspired by the work Caritas Australia does in helping kids have enough food and education,” Brooklyn says. “I wanted to give other https://www.caritas.org.au/

Apply Now for our 2021 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Australian Catholics is offering a chance for Year 10 and 11 students across Australia to apply for our media internship program in 2021. This is an exciting opportunity for students interested in a career in journalism, communications, media or publishing.

This year's program will take place online from 10 to 15 May. Successful applicants will join the rest of our guest editorial team and our staff via teleconference throughout the week to plan, workshop and write articles for the Spring edition.

They’ll have the chance to learn how a magazine edition is developed, engaging in the creative thinking and planning that begins the process. We ensure they understand all the elements that bring together a publication, as well as giving them specific focus as they produce their own articles for publication.

The deadline for applications for this year's program is Monday 15 March.

https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/

https://form.jotform.com/210407808063955 40 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Open to Conversion, RENEWAL AND REFORM?

Columban Fr Warren Kinne writes in response to one of the six National Themes for Discernment of the Plenary Council - "How is God calling us…

The sentence in the document that struck me as pivotal is the importance of a personal encounter with Christ as the basis of the life of faith. Without this, we have nothing to offer for renewal and We are not to make superficial adjustments but rather authentic reform attempts – or dare I say it - revolution. Yes, we need continuity reform. with the past, but a "revolutionary continuity". To me, renewal and reform don't seem to highlight the nature of the required change. 3. Becoming the Catholic Church with an Australian Face

The document focuses on three areas: The task of evangelization is always to inculturate the Gospel into a particular time and place. I am not sure why the document 1. Governance and Leadership for ongoing renewal and reform spoke of "enculturate" when the theological term generally used is The answer given in this section is that we implement the full range "inculturate" but I think I understand what they are getting at. We of consultative bodies and assemblies recognized in canon law and need to be an Aussie Church even when we are not yet sure about that these be permanently established and convoked. The question what exactly an Aussie is. that arises in my mind is, why wasn't this done 50 years ago at the Ecological consciousness and conversation along the lines of end of the Second Vatican Council? Why say that the Council failed Laudato Si; a more serious relationship with Oceania; embracing when we never tried it? Perhaps we tried it somewhat half-heartedly. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into the life of the But the cultural change that a move from clericalism requires, that Church; involving LGBTIQ+; broadening the eligibility for ordination; would have realistically made the enterprise possible, wasn't there. women in ministry including ordained ministry – are all a part of the Can we have hope now, because things are so bad that we have no mix. other choice? It would make you wonder. Renewal demands a cultural change: from power to service, from 2. Ministry for mission as Disciples of Jesus dominion to communion; from a triumphalistic Church to a "Church Structures are to serve the needs of mission, but as time goes by, which is poor and for the poor". Let's abandon "an elitist and structures no longer adequately serve their purpose. It is the way of exclusivist vision of vocation, that interprets the ministry received as institutions. a power to be exercised rather than as a free and generous service to I am not personally one to overturn and abandon institutions and try be given" i are all necessary as our Pope tells us. to set up better ones in the mistaken belief that the new one will last It will not be easy to genuinely see different races, sexual orientations the test of time. Institutions always need reformation. Institutions and genders not as obstacles but rather as opportunities to grow. It always tend to become moribund and not serve the purpose for will be a process. We need to respond pastorally to issues that tend which they were created. But the reality also is that movements to polarize Australian Catholics. The challenge is to dialogue with cannot continue for long without institutionalization. Like a marriage, an openness to change perspective while still holding to legitimate one needs to work on the institutionalized relationship to nourish it Church moral positions. I have no magic bullet or blueprint for this and give time and energy. The same with the Church. I have always except that everything be on the table, and that there be openness, felt strongly about reform from within because no matter how bad and that the Holy Spirit be invoked. things are with whatever system, be that a legal, health, political, The challenge will be to broaden, form and support the range economic or cultural one or indeed a religious system – we need of those who minister in parishes, dioceses and other Church them and cannot throw them out. We can only reform them as these activities. In this enterprise, parishes emerge as important centres are essential. for communion and renewal. To a macro problem, there is ultimately I have no magic wand or an infallible way to do this except in the way only a micro solution. the document lays out: a participatory, discerning and accountable Columban Fr Warren Kinne lives and works on the Gold Coast. system of governance and leadership at all levels of the Australian Church. A gospel motivated mission needs to align better with the i Address by His Holiness Pope Francis at The Opening Of The Synod Church's organizational structures, resources and personnel with Of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. the Church's mission. This takes hard yakka and deep faith, and hope https://www.columban.org.au/ in the future, not to mention a good deal of charity. Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 41

What's It Like Growing Up DISABLED IN AUSTRALIA?

One in five Australians has a disability, and yet the voices of people navigating disability in their life are drastically underrepresented in the media and news.

For our first conversation of 2021, we're spotlighting the diverse experiences of people living with disability in Australia to celebrate the release of Growing Up Disabled in Australia: an anthology sharing stories from over 40 writers with a disability or chronic illness.

Taken from City of Melbourne _Melbourne Knowledge Week

42 Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021

Gloria Thomas TRIBUTE Dear GG younger, going to McAlpine park to feed the ducks, playing letters and numbers, school pickups, going to basketball and tennis I am so grateful I was able to have you in my life you were truly 1 trainings, taking me the ‘scenic route’ to work and bringing chicken in a million. We shared so many amazing memories, like that movie nuggets with all the hormones which as you always said, would help marathon only a few weeks back watching contraband, crawl and me grow big and tall! I can thank you now for being the main reason karate kid. I cherish all the memories I created with you throughout why I am so tall! I also loved coming home from school to hear you my lifetime. The more I think about you the more memories that playing the memorable tunes on the piano. come rushing through my head. I was so blessed to have you as my grandma you were like an extra parent to Josh and I, you were there You mean the world to all of your grandchildren GG. I want to thank to pick us up from school, take us to sports, cook amazing dinners, you for everything you have done, you know I personally think bring amazing afternoon tea, and was always there to tell never- everything has a reason and I think we were supposed to meet each ending amazing stories. other in this lifetime.

I am so grateful for all the experience and life lessons you taught The bond and relationship we formed and created over the 16 years not only me but all of your grandchildren; without you I don’t think I had you in my life was indescribable, special and unlike anything I would be the person I am today. You taught me about the world else I have ever experienced. I admired you so much for how you around me while pushing me to improve in everything I did, you carried yourself and how you always entered every situation with a consistently told me I had the ability to be anything I wanted to positive attitude and a smile, I have learnt so much from you. the be. You always spoke so proudly of me to everyone you knew, and banter and consistent cheeky jokes we had were unique, I loved I did the same with you. I loved making you laugh and hearing your making you laugh, and I loved when you made me laugh. contagious ‘Fijian chuckle where you would have to put your hand Once time has passed, that is when you realise you were in the ‘good over your mouth to soften the hilarious giggle. old days’ and I had plenty of the good old days with you GG, I love I loved telling you everything about my life and hearing everything you so much and I hope you know that GG, because you meant more about yours although we both exaggerated, you were always able to me than you will ever know. I know this doesn’t give half the justice to tell an entertaining and somewhat embellished story. Even you deserve but I know you know how special you were to me and watching the classic Richmond vs Carlton game to kick-off each AFL how much you were loved by myself and all of your grandchildren. season was just one of many memories I will remember forever. All You had an astronomically large impact on my life and everyone the memories we have with you will live on forever and your legacy around you. I mean this with all my heart, I love you so much and will continue to live on. you mean the absolute world to me, thank you for everything GG.

I loved all the Wednesday morning breakfasts, all the ping pong, Until we meet again in heaven and in another life. crossword puzzles, stories from Fiji and your time working in Zak Wilmore the bank, all the stories about pupa and yourself when you were Holy Spirit Magazine MARCH 2021 43

Fr Peter ROBINSON Just wishing to update you with a word or two on behalf of Fr Peter's We will ensure that a couple of copies be put aside for the Holy Spirit 'family'. As you probably know it has been impossible (due to Covid) Parish Library for loan to other parishioners who may not have been thus far to organise a community gathering as earlier intended to close to Peter but may wish to borrow the publication. The book is celebrate Peter's life. But the good news is a book on our cousin's currently with the printer but I have attached the cover pages so you life has now been completed and copies will be available for Peter's may have an early glimpse of it! network of friends to read around the time of his first anniversary 14 Peter Carolan (Cousin to Fr Peter) March.

“For wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows” EZK 47:9 Life can be so busy, we don’t have time to take stock. Alpha is a ‘timeout’ where you can think about the big questions, listen to others, and discuss your own thoughts. None of us know it all, but together we can seek some answers.

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment. Try Alpha Online Sunday 14th March, 7:30-8:45pm via Zoom – link to be sent directly to those who register via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/holy-spirit-parish-alpha-2021- registration-140784077967 Further details: https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/alpha Link to short Try Alpha video: https://player.vimeo.com/video/182479526

Published by the people of Holy Spirit Parish for the communities of Holy Spirit North Ringwood, St Anne’s Park Orchard & St Gerarad’s Warrandyte Vic. HOLY SPIRIT 120 OBAN ROAD RINGWOOD NORTH 3134 PHONE: PARISH - 9876 3717 SCHOOL: 9876 1103 WEBSITE: www.holyspiritparish.org.au