BISHOP DOMINIC CARMON IN TOWN

18-22 August – Bishop Dom Carmon came to visit Melbourne and our community at Dorish Maru College.

The Bishop was born in Opelousas, Louisiana (USA) and is member of the Society of the Divine Word. He entered the SVD seminary in 1946; was ordained priest in 1960. Then, he went to PNG as missionary in 1961-1968. Some years later after returning to the US, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans in 1993. (Photo above, Bishop with Mike Madigan).

At DMC, he met his former classmate at Techny, Ill. (US), Larry Nemer (Photo below, left) and former co-missionary in PNG, Wim Valcks (Photo below, right), who brought him around Melbourne. The Bishop still remembers very well that we, too, were once together at the Nemi Tertiate in 1968.

In his homily at the Mass for our community, he spoke briefly about himself and the Archdiocese of New Orleans, where typhoon “Katrina” wreaked so much havoc a few years back.

One time he was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent the usual cancer treatments. But then one day, his doctor declared that he is cured. The doctor and people attribute the sudden cure through the intercession of the American saint, Elizabeth Anne Seton.

Now living in retirement, the Bishop is still active in helping out in pastoral work. Describing his first visit to Melbourne he said: “Great and tremendous beyond my expectations!”

We thank Bishop Carmon for his presence and inspiring words he gave us! ~

DMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

From the Rector’s Desk

6 August (Wed) – Colin Warry joined our community to celebrate his birthday. We thanked him for all the cooking and house maintenance he’s does for us.

7-12 August (Thurs-Tues) - Henry Adler, our formator, went to Suva (Fiji) to visit our two deacons: Ioane and Hiagi and the parishes they are ministering in.

15 August (Fri) - Finishing his novitiate, Vincent Iopam made his first profession today in the presence of our Province leader, Tim Norton, and the Marsfield community.

The Formation Board also held their meeting at Marsfield today. Members: Henry Adler, Boni Buahendri and Michael Nguyen attended this meeting.

John Prior left today for Balaton, Hungary, to attend a conference of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS). He’ll return 30 August.

16 August (Sat) - Mike Knight of Macquarie Fields gave the community recollection at Dorish Maru College today. He talked about our two saints: Arnold and Joseph F. We thank Mike for giving us his time and for the recollection well done.

18 August (Mon) – Bishop Dom Carmon, SVD, arrived today at DMC. Bishop was formerly a missionary in PNG. This is his first time to visit Melbourne. Wim Valckx is guiding him around. They have been co-missionaries in PNG.

19 August (Tues) – The two formators: Henry A. and Boni B. held their regular coordination meeting with the Rector of the house.

20 August (Wed) – Today the house council held their weekly meeting. It’s truth to say that meetings are the life of a community. We find them necessary for the smooth running of our community.

23rd-31st (Sat-Mon) - Wim Valckx will go to Ballarat (Vic) for pastoral supply work. He will substitute for the chaplain of Nazareth House, Kevin Condon, OP, who will go on home leave to Ireland. ~

PROFILE: NOBORU SATOWAKI

1st August (Friday) - We bade our final goodbye to Noboru during our usual Friday gathering. Noboru’s original assignment was to do his Overseas Training Program (OTP) in East Timor. But due to the unstable political situation two years ago, Noboru was advised to stay on in Australia to do his OTP here, which he accepted.

He was then assigned to the SVD parish of Macquarie Fields, NSW. There he worked with Mike Knight (parish priest) and Viet Nguyen (assistant). His specific assignment was to do youth work together with Viet. He said he found it hard at first to communicate with the young people because of their Australian lingo. But friendship and being young himself, overcame all barriers. The youth helped him to communicate. While doing his OTP, he also earned two Certificates at the TAFE: English 3 and English 4 that qualify him to work with the youth. Here Noboru is seen with an apron while on duty as cook in the kitchen. (Photo taken by Michael Nguyen, SVD).

Over-all Noboru found his OTP a rewarding experience. Besides learning English, he struggled with the differences in culture; for instance, in Japan, they don’t shake hands nor hug. They just make a deep respectful bow. Eventually, he also learned how to give and receive hugs in Australia. When he gets back to Japan, he will continue his studies in theology there!

Sayonara, Noboru san! ~