BACK TO THE BLOG

My Blog was sleeping for one month.

On the first day of July, I took the train to make my retreat at the Nazareth House, Ballarat, Vic. (Below) What was unique in my retreat was that I refrained totally from reading any book (spiritual or Bible). I just sat down, listened to and be with the Lord. It was a unique experience indeed!

After my retreat, I returned to DMC to attend to the WYD Pilgrims who came to visit or stay with us in the pre-Sydney events. Some were SVDs and some were lay pilgrims from the USA, Vietnam, Philippines, etc.

During the actual WYDays (15th-20th July), I went to NSW to join our community at Marsfield The SVD hosted about 130 Pilgrims coming mainly from the Diocese of Darwin: Darwin itself, Alice Springs and Santa Teresa. Truly I can say that I also did the Pilgrim walk at the WYD.

When the Pilgrims were starting to head for their homes on 21st July, I went to visit my friends at the Mother of the Church parish at Macquarie Fields where I was involved for three years (2005-2007) in the ministry of the Word.

Then I returned to Melbourne on the 25th July. The following we held the 2nd Bible Seminar at the JSC Boronia. The Divine Word Bible Core Team (DW-BCT) assisted me in this ministry.

Now I’ve come back to DMC to resume the Blog. ~

Melbourne Event (above left) Among the Youth in Sydney (above) Vocations Expo (above right)

WHO IS FATHER JB?

We call him Fr. JB. But the name has nothing do with Jerusalem Bible or Jim Beam, the whisky. I should know him; we’re town mates. He may be a third-ager or beyond, but he’s surely bubbling with life. He claims that he has never been busier than during his retirement. His hidden talents simply keep popping up (his own words).
Some years ago, stores began to market the booklets he authored. (See photo below).

He showed me with great excitement how he connects with friends through his new cell-phone (or mobile). He has also a digital camera that’s never at rest. No one leaves his room without a photograph taken. (Photo above is Fr. JB and the Blogger).

Last Christmas he entertained his fellow retirees by singing songs he composed, accompanied on his guitar. Though he’s not a Stradivarius, nevertheless, he’s also now practicing on the violin a friend gave him. Besides, he works out everyday on his special bicycle at the roof top of the VCR (Villa Cristo Rey) retirement house… and many more.

What an inspiration, this Fr. JB! Visiting him made me dazzled, but truly energized! ~