DMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

FROM THE RECTOR'S DESK

2-6 June (Monday-Friday)
The Students of YTU have a study-week to do their essay assignments and prepare for the semester examinations next week.

3 June, Tuesday
Jacob Kavunkal travels to India today after his lecturing at the YTU on the first semester. He will return to Australia for good as soon as he gets his permanent visa to the country. Bon voyage, Jacob!
5 June, Thursday
Boni Buahendri celebrates his birthday. Boni is named after St. Boniface, bishop and martyr. Our community will celebrate with him tomorrow evening with friends of the community.

6 June, Friday
The students will have their Ministry Supervision at the JSC, Boronia. They come together according to the group level and reflect on their pastoral outreach with the help of Ms Elisa, their ministry supervisor.

8 June, Sunday
Frank Gerry will be celebrating his golden jubilee. There will be a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Cecilia’s parish, Hamilton, Brisbane, at 11:00 am. Our DMC community will be one with you, Frank.

8 June (con’t)
Wim Valckx starts his retreat. Everyday he spends the whole day in Kew, but at night he returns to sleep in his room at the Retirement Village. He finishes his retreat on Friday, 13th June.

JUNE Birthday Celebrants:
05th, Thu - Boni Buahendri
08th, Sun – Kasmir Nema
09th, Mon – Queen’s Birthday
19th, Thu – Antón Nahak
26th, Thu – Anthony Lobo
* * *

ALONE, BUT NOT LONELY!

Some years ago, I was a camera addict. I took hips of photos, until they became a burden to my monthly allowance. I still take photos today, but only occasionally. There was this one particular photo I took of a tree, one towering tree above many others, in our garden at Epping then, now Marsfield. The tree stood there alone elegantly for us and visitors to see. Months after I snapped the photo and showed it to others, I got a letter from one of my co-SVDs. He wrote: “Dom, please send me a copy of the photo (of the tree). I like it because it reminds me of myself. I oftentimes feel lonely like the tree!” “Hmmm…” I mused to myself – two different perceptions of one and the same tree.

(The photo is a look-alike taken from the internet. I no longer have the original photo and the tree is gone - mission accomplished).

I took the photo of the tree, because it struck me. For me, it stood for bravery by standing there, always holding its ground through changing climes. The tree stood for beauty, exuding the colors of the seasons for the admiration of passers-by. It was a symbol of faithfulness, because it was ever steadfast like a sentinel on duty. It was committed to simplicity, i.e. in focus and centered in what it was meant to be. And finally, it stood alone like me, yes, but not lonely!

“The tree of life also (was) in the midst of the garden” (Gen. 2:9).

I CRIED FOR HELP!

My Reflection for the Week

“An SVD Priest Drowns at the Barrier Reef!” That would have been a shocking headline in the local newspapers on 1st October 2001! Yes, that would have been. But actually this is what happened… A family friend invited me (after a pastoral commitment) to go snorkeling at the Green Island, a small coral bay located right on Great Barrier Reef, situated just 27 kilometres east of Cairns, North Queensland.

While enjoying the snorkelling, I drifted unawares from the shore by an incoming afternoon tide. Suddenly the waves overwhelmed me and I began to fight for my life. I panicked and cried out, “Help!” I realised I was drowning! I heard a woman’s voice from a distance, “Are you okay, Father?” “Nooo!,” I shouted back before going down under the waves. I gulped in a suffocating amount of salt water. Then I came up to the surface and cried out the second time, “Help! Help!” In no time, Karen (her real name), whose voice I heard earlier, approached me quickly. Then, she grabbed me; made me lie on my back facing skywards. She told me to relax. Supporting my back with her steady hands, she then swam me to safety to the shore. Later, Karen told me she’s a certified life-saver!

Prayer:

Lord, my God, when I cried for help you came to help me. Thank you for sending me Karen at the right place and at the right time. Through her, you delivered me from another close call.
With the Psalmist, I cry out for help, “O God, come to my assistance; Lord make haste to HELP me!” (Psalm 69:2).

ARCHBISHOP DENIS VISITS PRESTON PARISH

On the 31st May (Sat), Archbishop Denis Hart visited Preston parish, which our Society took over in October last year. The Archbishop as arch-pastor of Melbourne presided over the Saturday Vigil Mass. In the concelebrated Mass, he was assisted by Bill Burt, parish priest; Paul Thien, assistant, and deacon Linh Nguyen. Ennio Mantovani, the chaplain for Italian community, was assigned some other task.

In church, all seats were taken. The parish choir led the congregation in singing approved and sing-able songs. At the end of the Mass, Bill Burt thanked everyone and the people applauded three times. The first applause was when Bill thanked the Archbishop for his beautiful words in his sermon and his beautiful singing voice at Mass. The second applause was when he thanked the choir for leading the congregation in singing praises to God; and finally, when he thanked everyone for coming.

At the end of the Mass, the Archbishop went to the foyer and chatted with the people as they left the church. Meanwhile, the 7 SSpS and 10 SVDs went to the presbytery where later the Archbishop would dine with them. Thanks to Thien and Ennio who prepared the dinner with their team of young people. It was an evening to remember in the history of the parish!