ServingServing FaithfullyFaithfully

Newsletter of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force November 2014 Published by the Diocesan Curia. Editor: Monsignor Peter O'Keefe Issue # 19 From the Vicar General Christian Marriage and Family Life in the Church and within Society

nyone who had been attentive to the As part of its response, the Bishops spoke about A various forms of the media during October the promise and hope of Christ's message of love and the would have heard that Pope Francis had convoked a profound goodness of so many Catholic families faithfully special Synod of Bishops with lay participation on the living out their vocations and the mission of the Church challenges for the family and the New Evangelisation. amidst all the fears and threats to family life. The synod This took place at the Vatican between 4‐19 October also made it clear that marriage is between a man and a 2014. woman intended for life. As more definitive reports are The Pope told married people that this synod released on the synod's deliberations, I am sure that it was to be "dedicated in a special way to you, to your will become more and more evident that the synod vocation and mission in the Church and in society; to the returned to the source of our faith: Jesus himself, His challenges of marriage, family life, the education of teaching on God's love as expressed in the vocation and children; and the role of the mission of Christian marriage, family in the life of the Church". together with Christian Since Pope Francis marriage's exclusiveness and announced the Synod there has permanence and in the raising certainly been a lot of talk about up of families. the more controversial issues There seemed to be a challenging the Church requiring sense of pastoral realism for its pastoral response to such most of the synod participants. matters as divorce and re‐ Discussion focused on the marriage, communion, mission of the Church with its cohabitation prior to marriage fundamental support of and 'same sex marriage'. marriage and family life together As Archbishop Fisher , with its provision of pastoral Archbishop elect of Sydney, Baptised into Christ, the Defence Family is sanctified care for those in cohabitating stated in his pastoral letter through the mission of the Military Diocese to effect relationships, for single parents, published in the Diocese of Christ’s presence in the ADF those in same sex relationships, Parramatta's October edition of as well the divorced and for 'Catholic Outlook': "this raises many issues: what is those remarried outside the Church. There was a sense marriage and the family today? What is Holy that these realities demand listening, compassion and Communion all about? What is the place of Scripture, care with respect for the person rather than magisterium and the Church tradition and disciplinary condemnation. This will certainly not mean that in tradition? How do we express the ideals for marriage respecting persons as Christ seeks, the Church will and family life amidst the hard realities of ordinary life? respect every human behaviour. But in this pastoral love How do we mediate God's infinite mercy to suffering for the person; the fertile ground for the Church's New people? And so on...". Hard questions. The gaze of the Evangelisation, the missionary focus of the Church takes world was upon the Church as the synod progressed and root as Christ's mercy become more and more evident. will continue to be so as this special Synod was only the What does the synod on the family mean first part, the second phase as an Ordinary Synod will for ADF families? take place from 4‐25 October 2015. The ADF is certainly a microcosm of society when The underlying spirit of the synod seems to be one of listening to the needs of our families across the it comes to the realities of marriage and family life. Many world with a gaze fixed on Christ. The Pope asked that would say that military life exacerbates the stresses and strains on marriage and family life. Marriage breakdown all participants would freely speak with clarity, charity and humility, listening to one another. As a result the and family dysfunctionalism is a very common reality in the ADF alongside the myriad examples of sound and spirit at the synod was described as more pastoral than academic in approach as the Bishops wrestled with the fruitful relationships where family life excels. Certainly frequent postings can result in family dislocation, reality facing family life in today's world across cultures Continued page 2 and continents.

From page 1 chaplain deals pastorally with those in various forms of where for a variety of reasons, including children's relationship including same sex relationships. The education and spouse employment, it is becoming more pastoral considerations for the suffering and the common. requirement for mercy and care spoken to at the synod Deployments can put immeasurable stresses on is definitely the challenge facing all clergy, and is the some marriages along with many other factors in ADF 'bread and butter' challenge to our military chaplains life. It is becoming evident that marriages and family life which, due to God's grace, is readily shown. can be severely affected with many ADF members Within this reality we cannot stop proclaiming returning from deployment developing symptoms of the beautiful ideals that Christ gave us for marriage and post traumatic stress disorder. It does take a particular family life. We cannot acquiesce on these ideals due to strength and resilience to live out the vocation of the pressures of popular thinking or secular attitudes but marriage and deal the realities on family life within the we do need to respond in love and mercy to those in ADF. need. One of the pastoral joys for our Catholic To our Catholic families as well as our Chaplains, Chaplains within Defence is being involved in the the recent synod can be a source of hope and sacramental life of a family, whether it be the confidence. To all of us it hopefully demonstrates that sacraments of Marriage, Baptism or Confirmation. There our Church is striving to listen, provide care and reach are many marvellous experiences that our chaplains out with Christ's mercy in and through our pastoral share with our families setting up rich pastoral intent. relationships and often indeed good friendships. The We pray that the Military Diocese will continue presence of the Catholic Chaplain is so important to our to connect and engage with families and those who seek families in assisting them in their vocations so that they pastoral care as part of its fundamental mission. We may thrive in and through Service life. prayer for our Diocese, made up of so many full‐time and Our Chaplains in living and working closely with part‐time ADF Catholic members and families. Please ask our ADF members experience first hand pastorally the the Lord to urge us on that we will be listening and open realities of good and broken marriages and relationships. to His Spirit of service and transformation, and that this Unfortunately it is often a weekly, if not a daily Diocese will take up more and more Pope Francis' occurrence where a Catholic chaplain deals with these pastoral plea that we 'smell the sheep' as part of the pastoral realities of brokenness. Perhaps a Catholic Church's New Evangelisation. Please pray for our Priest, Deacon or Pastoral Worker in a normal parish Chaplains. Thank you. setting would not come across these realities of brokenness and pain as often as the military chaplain, Monsignor Peter O'Keefe due to a chaplain’s close links with serving personnel Vicar General embedded with them within a military unit or formation. Diocesan Administrator Our hearts go out to those whose marriages are broken and who are struggling with family life. The

Vocations Prayer the courage and generosity to Creator God, respond to Your love, Your call. Life is your gift to me. I pray especially Through Baptism you invite me to grow for those who serve you as Priests, Deacons, Brothers and into a very real, full and loving Sisters. Every vocation is an exodus from person, and to share the gift of my life in service to others. Keep them close to you. self … it leads us on a journey of Open the minds and hearts of many Adoration of the Lord …and service Be with me others, to him in our brothers and sisters. as I choose each day to accept the challenge to show your presence to build Your Kingdom. Amen. From Pope Francis’ Letter for 2014 in our world. Mary, Help of Christians, World Day of Prayer for Vocations Give me Pray for us

Wishing you and your family every Blessing and Joy this Christmas.

We thank you for your on-going support.

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Donations from within the church in Australia Throughout 2014 the following donations were gratefully received from Dioceses and from one Parish. These have been significant in assisting the Military Diocese this year in its various operating commitments.

From Donation From Donation

Diocese of Armidale $2,000 Archdiocese of Melbourne $15,000 Diocese of Ballarat $2,500 Diocese of Parramatta $7,500 Diocese of Bathurst $6,626 Diocese of Rockhampton $4,746 Archdiocese of Brisbane $20,000 Diocese of Sandhurst $5,000 Diocese of Broken Bay $8,500 Diocese of Wagga Wagga $5,000 Diocese of Darwin $500 Diocese of Wilcannia‐Forbes $2,000

Diocese of Lismore $5,000 Parish of St Kevin's Eastwood (Sydney) $880

Total $85,252

Pope Francis meets with engaged couples in St Peter's Square The event organised by the Pontifical Council for the Family took as its starting point the idea that one does not get married once all the problems are solved, but rather that one marries in order to face problems and challenges together, and stated that it is still possible to take the risk of saying ‘forever’. The commitment of ‘forever’ brings joy through faith in each other and allows us to accept the future with hope and confidence. Pope Francis spoke to the engaged couples about the commitment ‘forever’. He challenged the couples to break free and to enter into a new faith in each other and embrace the ‘forever’ commitment. ‘Make the definitive decision that your marriage is for ‘forever’, a love based on Christ's Pope Francis greets Miriam and unconditional love for each of us. Marco, an engaged couple who spoke In order to build up and protect this ‘forever’, Pope Francis states that during an audience for engaged cou- living together is an art, a patient, beautiful and fascinating journey...which is ples in St. Peter’s Square at the Vati- summarised in three words: PLEASE, THANK YOU and SORRY can February 14, Valentine’s Day. At PLEASE: is a kind request to be able to enter into the life of someone else left is Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, with respect and care. president of the Pontifical Council for the Family THANK YOU: Gratitude is a life‐giving sentiment where the other person is a gift from God. It is not just a polite word, it is necessary to know how to say thank you to experience the gift of the other. SORRY: In our lives we make many errors, many mistakes. We all do. And this is why we need to be able to use the simple word ‘sorry’. Simply perhaps but profoundly because the real sorry of love heals and transforms. Finally the Holy Father commended PRAYER to the couples: 'Give us this day, our daily bread'. Couples may also learn to pray, ' Give us this day our daily love', teach us to love one another, to care for one another. The more we entrust ourselves to the Lord, the more your love will be 'forever', able to renew itself and to overcome every difficulty’

New Catholic Military Ordinariate Website Yes, the Ordinariate will be launching its new website during November. We have been working towards this event for some time and we hope that all our readers will avail themselves of the opportunity to view as well as use the new site. . The address will be the same as the present site:www.military.catholic.org.au The development of the all‐new site has been driven by a simple but basic ideal:

We are a family, a Church living the Gospel and our Faith, in Service of the ADF.

The website is structured so as to act as a conduit for information, news, events and latest thought. It is also designed to facilitate a pastoral connection for our parishioners to their local chapels and other relevant information. At the moment the RMC Chapel is the only fully developed local page, but we intend for others to be developed in the near term. There is more content we would like to include in the site, but we will do that while ‘on the job’. At this time, we thought it more important to release it for use by you, our Chaplains, parishioners and friends. We believe the website lives up to our principle: As the Catholic Diocese of the ADF, we live in the world and relate to the world. As a Diocese we uphold the way of life, traditions and mores of our society and Church in relation to behaviour, family life and marriage. 3

The Last General Absolution of the Munsters, May 1915

he statuette in the T Chancery of the Military Ordinariate is inspired by a painting by Fortunino Matania, a war‐ time artist of Italian descent, who painted many scenes from World War I. The painting is entitled ‘The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois’. The painting was commissioned by the widow of the The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois commanding officer of 2nd by Frtunino Matania Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers – shrine on their way back from the front only 200 were on Statue of Fr Gleeson Lieutenant Colonel Victor parade. (in the Catholic Military Ordinariate Chancery Rickard – and depicts an event Father Gleeson was noted for his total dedication that occurred at a roadside to the men and for constantly going forward to provide shrine in Rue du Bois, near Fleurbaix, on the evening of pastoral care and the Sacraments to them. He is 8 May 1915. particularly noted for his constant correspondence with The Royal Munster Fusiliers was moving forward families of the men of the unit. He had only enlisted for in preparation for the Battle of Aubers Ridge the one year and when that was up he returned to his parish following day. The Chaplain to the Munsters was a Father duties but gained permission to re‐enlist and served for a Francis Gleeson, an Irish Catholic Priest, who had further period of two years. volunteered to serve with the British Forces in 1914 and In a recent short reflection on this painting, was posted to the battalion. As the unit was moving Bishop Richard Moth, the present Bishop of the Armed forward the commanding officer ordered a halt alongside Forces of Great Britain, speaks of the actions of Father the shrine and Father Gleeson addressed the assembled Gleeson as an example of the important ministry of unit, formed up by company. He administered General chaplains even down to the present day. Copies of the Absolution while still mounted on his horse. statuette that have been made from the painting are The painting was made using eye‐witness reports poignant reminders for all concerned that God is present of many of those present. The reports indicate that the to those involved in even the most desperate situations men concluded the brief ceremony with a hymn to Our and particularly to those involved in war and conflict. Lady and the battalion then moved off to the trenches These statuettes remind Chaplains of their primary from which they launched their attack at dawn on the ministry, remind those sent into ‘harm’s way’ of the following day. Father Gleeson moved along the ranks mercy of God, and remind all of us of the constant need with words of encouragement to the men. During the to pray and work for peace. battle the Munsters were largely cut down by machine ______gun fire before they had advanced more than a few yards and, and although they were successful in capturing the The statue of FR Gleeson is available in three enemy trenches, they were forced to withdraw. The formats: bronze finish as pictured above, a silver‐plated commanding officer was among the 150 killed in the version, and a fully hand‐painted coloured version (which battle and a further 238 officers and men were wounded. is really quite detailed and spectacular). One source for When the Munsters again assembled at the roadside supply is www.militarystatue.com

A gift in your Will Making a gift to the Catholic Military Ordinariate is a meaningful way to fund the education of future priests and deacons and to support our clergy in providing spiritual guidance to our service men and women and their families. It also enables you to make a significant gift that you may not find possible during your lifetime. You could: leave a specific cash amount or property; leave a percentage of your estate; or leave all or a portion of what remains of your estate after other bequests are distributed. To make a bequest, you should consult your solicitor or trustee company. It may be sufficient to make an addition or amendment to an existing will by adding a codicil. A useful website for more information is: includeacharity.com.au

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The Great General Absolution at Gettysburg, July 1863 (Article by Major General Peter R Phillips AO MC KCSG [Papal] [Ret’d])

‘ … ego absolvo vos, a peccatis vestris, in nomine Patris, members were Catholics, the Chaplain of the brigade Rev. et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, Amen.’ William Corby, CSC, proposed to give a general absolution hile visiting family in Washington DC last to all the men before going into the fight. While this is W Easter, I took the opportunity to go to customary in the armies of Catholic countries of Europe, it Gettysburg and see at first hand the site of the bloodiest was perhaps the first time it was ever witnessed on this battle of the US Civil War. Having studied the continent … Father Corby stood upon a large rock in front Shenandoah campaign as an officer cadet 60 years ago, it of the brigade, addressing the men; he explained what he was good to see at first hand where this climactic event was about to do, saying that each one would receive the took place. For tourists, Gettysburg is an benefit of the absolution by making a sincere outstanding destination and the visitors’ Act of Contrition, and firmly resolving to centre and well‐signed battlefield make it embrace the first opportunity of confessing easy to follow the course of the battle which his sins, urging them to do their duty well, took place there over three days in 1862. and reminding them of the high and sacred In following the tourist trail, I was nature of their trust as soldiers and the surprised to see a statue of a man holding noble object for which they fought. The his arm aloft. Looking closely, I found that it brigade was standing at ‘Order arms’, and commemorated Rev Fr William Corby, a as he closed his address, every man fell on chaplain with the Union forces, and the his knees, with head bowed down. Then, famous general absolution that he gave to stretching his right hand towards the troops on the very rock where his statue brigade, Father Corby pronounced the words Fr William Corby now stands. of absolution. The scene was more than History records that, on 1 July 1863, the Irish impressive, it was awe‐inspiring. Nearby, stood General Brigade marched into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They Hancock, surrounded by a brilliant throng of officers, who spent much of the next day getting their armament into had gathered to witness this very unusual occurrence and position near Cemetery Hill. Corby notes in his memoirs while there was profound silence in the ranks of the that he could see the Confederate lines a mile away, also Second Corps, yet over to the left, out by the peach preparing for battle. Around 4pm, the conflict became orchard and Little Round Top, where Weed, and Vincent, heated. Corby recounts, and Haslett were dying, ‘The Third Corps were the roar of the battle pressed back, and at this rose and swelled and re‐ critical moment I echoed through the proposed to give a woods. The act seemed general absolution to to be in harmony with our men, as they had all the surroundings. I do absolutely no chance to not think there was a practise their religious man in the brigade who duties during the past did not offer up a two or three weeks, heartfelt prayer. For being constantly on the some it was their last; march.’ they knelt there in their Colonel grave‐clothes — in less Mulholland of the Irish than half an hour many Brigade later gave an of them were numbered account of Corby’s with the dead of July 2. famous absolution which The scene is recorded in appeared in the Absolution under Fire; Paul Wood’s famous Philadelphia Times: painting, Absolution under Fire (Snite There is yet a few minutes to spare before Museum of Art): starting, and the time is occupied in one of the most Doubtless many of those who received this impressive religious ceremonies I have ever absolution were numbered among the 57,000 who died witnessed. The Irish Brigade, which had been commanded in the course of the battle. It is good to know that they formerly by General Thomas Francis Meagher, and whose were consoled with this great sacrament of green flag had been unfurled in every battle in which the reconciliation. It reminded me of how fortunate Catholic Army of the Potomac had been engaged from the first servicemen and women are to have chaplains who are Bull Run to Appomattox, was now commanded by Colonel able to bring them the sacraments and why we need to Patrick Kelly, of the Eighty‐eighth New York, and formed a pray that more will answer God’s call to ministry as part of this division. The brigade stood in columns of service chaplains. regiments closed in mass. As the large majority of its 5

Doctor Bernard Quin (Article by Major General Peter R Phillips AO MC KCSG [Papal] [Ret’d])

octor Bernard Quin was honoured more than anguish, their loss has never been officially recognised, the D 70 years after his death at the hands of the AMA President said: ‘The Australian War Memorial cannot Japanese on Nauru. On the last week‐end of May, a great formally recognise Dr Quin as he was not a serving member of gathering of sixty members of the Quin clan assembled in the Australian Armed Forces, nor was he assisting Australian Canberra for the presentation by the Australian Medical military forces when he was killed.’ Association (AMA) of a posthumous award to the late Dr Dr Hambleton paid tribute to the tireless efforts of Dr Bernard Quin. Dr Quin, a Victorian GP and Quin’s family to have his sacrifice member of the British Medical Association acknowledged, and said the AMA was proud (Victoria Division – now AMA Victoria), was to recognise his devotion to his patients. executed by Japanese troops occupying ‘It is fitting for the AMA to offer him proper Nauru during the Second World War. recognition and to uphold Dr Quin as an Before the war, Dr Quin, exemplar of the provisions of the accompanied by his wife and five children, Declaration of Geneva, by which a doctor worked for eight years on Nauru as the pledges to consecrate his or her life to the Australian Government Medical Officer service of humanity. We are proud and providing health care for the local inhabitants honoured to recognise his exceptional ‐ many of whom had leprosy ‐ as well as the service as a medical practitioner – his island’s expat community. selfless commitment and devotion to the When Nauru was shelled by German people of Nauru embodies what it truly raiders, Dr Quin took his family to Melbourne means to be a doctor.’ before returning to the island at the request The award was accepted by Dr Quin’s son, of the Australian Government (who made Padre Lionel Marsden SM OBE Father Peter Quin, on his family’s behalf. him an honorary captain) to provide medical Father Quin is a Jesuit priest at Brisbane's care for Australian troops and the locals. Captain Bernard Quin Toowong Parish. He has dedicated his life to At the end of 1941, the Japanese began service, charity and compassion ‐ traits he learnt bombing Nauru, and the Australian troops withdrew. But Dr from his father during his childhood years on Nauru in the late Quin and four other Australians, including 1930s and early 40s. He recalled that a the island’s Administrator, Lt Colonel terrified young native boy was looking Frederick Chalmers, and pharmacist, W through a window and saw his father put his Shugg, decided to stay. The Japanese rosary beads around his neck before being invaded and occupied the island in mid‐1942, taken into another room where he was taking Dr Quin and the other Australians beheaded with a sword. prisoner. In March 1943, Dr Quin and his four Dr Quin's story struck a chord with Brisbane compatriots were executed by the Japanese doctor, Angie Ryan, when she was attending in apparent retaliation after United States Mass at Toowong on Anzac Day last year. forces bombed Nauru. Dr Quin was 49 years She has taken up the campaign to have him old at the time of his death. officially recognised on the Roll of Honour In a moving ceremony at the Gathering of the Quin Clan in Canberra at the Australian War Memorial. Staff at AMA National Conference, AMA President the Memorial have twice researched Dr Dr Steve Hambleton presented Dr Quin’s family with the Quin's case but, because he was not officially serving in the President’s Award in recognition of his dedication and Armed Forces at the time of his execution, he is not eligible to sacrifice in the darkest days of World War II. He said the story be included on the Roll of Honour. was harrowing and confronting, but Dr Director of the Australian War Memorial, Quin’s conduct was inspiring. ‘Dr Quin would former Defence Minister and AMA President have known the risks to his own safety by Dr Brendan Nelson, welcomed the family at staying on Nauru after the Australian troops an earlier gathering at the Memorial. He said had left,’ the AMA President said. ‘His that there are many anomalies but, in terms professionalism and dedication to the of being placed on the Roll of Honour, it is Nauruan people led him to make a truly necessary for that person to be a serving courageous decision to stay, to not abandon member of the Australian Defence Forces. It them, and for that decision he paid with his is to be hoped that the case of Dr Bernard life.’ Quin does not rest there. Dr Hambleton said Dr Quin was far from the only casualty in the story. His wife Mary and five children knew that his personal safety was at risk, but did not find out for two years that he had died. He never had a funeral. To add to their Dr Quin with Nauruan aide and nurse 1936

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Father Richard Thompson CSM—Diocesan Priest and Chaplain (Article by Brigadier Alan Hodges AM [Ret’d])

hen Fr Richard Thompson was appointed Government. He organized the memorial service in Bali W as my Parish Priest in January I was attended by Prime Minister Howard. He found the intrigued by his background – not the usual journey of a debriefing provided to him by Australian psychologists to PP. He was a country boy from Cootamundra who left be very helpful in coping with the very stressful home and school at the end of Year 10. He wanted to join environment. For his chaplaincy service he was awarded the Navy as an apprentice. This was unsuccessful, so he the Conspicuous Service Medal: For outstanding service in became a journalist through a cadetship with the Temora the provision of pastoral and administrative support to Newspaper. This was followed by teaching skiing in New the relief effort in support of Operation Bali Assist, directly Zealand and then jointly operating a hotel in Wagga after the bombings. Wagga. As a 21‐year old he completed Years 11 and 12 at Fr Richard found the annual retreat gatherings of Trinity College in Wagga, while working at the Wagga Catholic chaplains of much benefit in supporting each Leagues Club to support himself. He then entered St other , particularly in areas in which he had been involved Patrick’s Seminary and graduated in 1984 with degrees in in suicide prevention and trauma. Theology and Philosophy. What follows is a summary of The Navy has a very special place for Fr Richard, our wide‐ranging conversation about his priesthood. especially for the support given to him for his personal, His initial appointment as a priest was to St professional and academic development. He remembers Mary’s Parish in Young NSW. He then served as Director with pride the flawless trust placed in him by his of Chaplaincy to Canberra hospitals where, with the commanders. He believes that he uses the Navy encouragement of Navy chaplain, Monsignor Ian experiences nearly everyday in his priestly responsibilities Dempsey, he joined the RAN as a Reservist. At the end of for interacting with people and managing the his hospital chaplaincy, Archbishop Carroll of Canberra stewardship for the church’s property. He feels that every and Goulburn offered him full‐time RAN service, or as an decision he makes reflects something that he has learnt alternative he could study canon law in Ottawa. Although along the way from training and education and from the Archbishop Carroll said that Fr Richard could have some Navy people with whom he served. time to think about it, he immediately accepted the Navy. In 2005 Archbishop Carroll recalled Fr Richard to Fr Richard speaks fondly of his service, the Archdiocese and appointed him as administrator and commencing at the former subsequently as parish priest of Young, his first parish, apprentice school in Sydney, where he served until taking up his HMAS NIRIMBA. Subsequently current role as parish priest of South he served on HMAS DARWIN Woden in Canberra. during the first Gulf War, most He recalled that, on returning major fleet units, HMAS to the more undisciplined environment WATSON at South Head, and of parish life, he initially missed his the Fleet Air Arm at HMAS colleagues and the people who trusted Fr Thompson at Anzac Day ALBATROSS. In 1998 he was and supported him at every level of Service, HMAS DARWIN, 1992 the first full‐time Catholic command throughout his service, and Chaplain at ADFA. This was the excitement of being involved with followed by an exchange posting to HMS SULTAN, the sea world. He would have liked to Portsmouth, the Royal Navy engineering training have given more back to the Navy for establishment. In 2000 he returned to HMAS WATSON— all it had done for him. as Training Command Chaplain. On the other hand, he went Fr Thompson at He then attended the USN Leadership College in to a very supportive environment in Mary Help of Rhode Island for nine‐months for chaplaincy senior Young and took quickly to the duties Christians Church leadership training. This was followed by an appointment of Dean of the Archdiocesan Western South Woden 2014 as Senior Chaplain to RAN Systems Command where he Deanery, consisting of 14 parishes. He was based in Garden Island in Sydney until his retirement readily recognises the satisfaction of working with people in 2005, after 17 years full‐time service. who affirm him in his vocation and faith and his role in Despite an inauspicious start to an academic supporting them in their own faith and journey. There are career after leaving school at Year 10, Fr Richard has also many opportunities to work with the ‘unchurched’, certainly embraced academia. He commenced a Master for example through schools and hospitals. He values the of Psychology degree during his initial appointment in strong support base in his parish, which gives him the Canberra and completed this at Rhode Island. Earlier, he strength to pursue a collaborative pastoral vision. attended the RAN Staff College at HMAS PENGUIN, which In finishing our talk, Fr Richard said that you need eventually led to his Masters in Business Administration. to be very sure of yourself to go into military chaplaincy In October 2002 Fr Richard was sent to Bali and must develop a solid support network with other following the terrorist attacks. His responsibilities at the chaplains, with commanders, and with lay people who morgue, where Disaster Victim Identification was understand the priesthood. He is greatly proud of his undertaken, involved pastoral support to families and to chaplaincy service and enjoyed it immensely – in fact, he members of the ADF, Federal Police and Australian felt he had landed on his feet. 7

Happenings around the Diocese Annual Catholic Chaplains Retreat The Catholic Military Chaplains will be gathering at the Marist Brothers Hermitage, Mittagong 16‐21 November this year for their annual retreat. The week is very special as it is the one occasion each year when Catholic Chaplains from Navy, Army and Air Force come together as a fraternity for spiritual exercises, rest and professional development. A few chaplains will be unable to gather due to various operations. Your prayers for the chaplains would certainly be appreciated. Farewell to Deacon Gary Stone Chaplain Gary is retiring from the Army in November 2014 after some 44 years in service, both as an Infantry Officer and as a Chaplain. We wish him every peace and joy in his retirement, expressing thanks for his service and in particular for his contribution to this Diocese. Gary recently chronicled his Service experiences in the publication ' Duntroon to Dili, Mayhem & Miracles, Traumatic Stress & Trust in God'. A review of this publication may follow in a subsequent issue of 'Serving Faithfully'. You can contact Gary through his informative website at: garystone.com.au Celebration of Sacraments at our Chapels In recent weeks our chaplains have been busy preparing members for the Sacraments of Marriage and Confirmation. At the same time there have been a multitude of infant Baptisms. These ministries get to the heart of our mission as a Diocese in the pastoral support of our families. Thanks to our chaplains for this dedicated work. Chaplain Gary Stone Congratulations to Seaman Grant Egerton who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at our Lady's Chapel, HMAS CERBERUS on 19 October 2014. Deacon Mick Flew Deacon Mick is in his final weeks of pastoral formation as a Permanent Deacon, having completed five years of training for Catholic Military chaplaincy. His pastoral formation of two years after three years of academic formation was undertaken at St. Monica's Parish Richmond NSW under the supervision of Fr Walter Fogarty PP, where he was introduced to full‐time pastoral ministry as a deacon. The pastoral skills that he picked up will serve him well in Army chaplaincy. Deacon Mick will most probably be posted into the Darwin Area in 2015. He will be a valuable addition to the chaplain fraternity. Please remember him in your prayers.

Deacon Mick Flew

'Walking with Veterans on the Road to Emmaus' Seminar Recently Deacon Brenton Fry at Townsville was instrumental in piloting a gathering of interested people who would like to offer support to our veterans and their families who may be seeking additional personal support and care. The seminar was held over the weekend 27‐28 September. A sincere thanks goes to Deacon Brenton for taking this initiative as it has real potential. While this was the pilot seminar, hopefully it can be developed further in offering the provision of personal support to Service men and women returning from deployment who may be seeking practical support and care.

Deacon Brenton Fry

“Serving Faithfully”

is a newsletter of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force. It is published quarterly by the Catholic Military Ordinariate of the Australian Defence Force.

The Diocese is composed of members of the Australian Defence Force and their families wherever they may be serving. Its people are scattered widely across Australia and overseas. Serving Faithfully aims to be a means of sharing events and experiences from across the whole Diocese.

Articles are welcome to be submitted for publication and should be addressed to

The Chancery, Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia PO Box 63, CAMPBELL, ACT 2612

Telephone: (02) 6248 0511 Fax: (02) 6247 0898

e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.military.catholic.org.au 8