DMC UPDATE

22nd Sept. (Tues) - I just returned from Nazareth House, Ballarat, VIC. I went to substitute for the chaplain who went on holidays to his home country, Ireland. Nazareth House (see photo) is owned and operated by the congregation of the Nazareth Sisters (CSN). It is a Sisters’ convent, retirement home, aged care, retreat house, formation house for postulants, all in one. While there I ministered to the people in daily Masses with homily and to the spiritual needs of the residents. Now, I’m trying to catch up with the community I left behind. ~

Here is some update

6th Sept. (Sat.) – The annual Mission Day with the theme on Vietnamese martyrs went on well. We were surprised and happy by the large attendance estimated at 400.

10th-12th Sept. (Wed.-Fri) – The combined Leadership workshop was attended by ten Holy Spirit Sisters and eight SVDs held at the Janssen Spirituality Centre, Boronia, VIC. Four came from DMC: Dom F, Larry N, Henry A, & Michael M.

11th Sept. (Thurs) – We celebrated the 133rd Foundation Day of the SVD at Dorish Maru College. Participants of the Leadership workshop and members of the Arnoldus family in Melbourne joined in the celebration. The family meal was followed by singing from various communities and from individuals, e.g. Mike Madigan, Dom Cremasco, Kasmir, and other singing groups from Sisters and national groups. O quam jucundum habitare fraters/sorores in unum!, that is, if you still know Latin.

14th Sept (Sun) – SVD Seniors’ meeting at the new parish under the SVD at Preston. Bill Burt, Paul Thien and Linh Nguyen hosted the monthly gathering. Nine senior members attended the gathering and went home invigorated.

15th-19th Sept (Tues-Fri) – Boni B. went to make his retreat with his group at the Heart of Life. Likewise Larry N went on retreat at the Nazareth House at Ballarat, VIC.

17th Sept (Wed) – Dom F. visited Henry Nikel, our lone SVD ministering in the diocese of Ballarat. Henry is well known and loved by Ballarat people among whom he serves. We wish Henry well as he goes on sabbatical to learn Spanish. Hasta la vista, Henrico!

21st Sept. (Sun) – Frank G. celebrated his golden jubilee of ordination at the parish of Boronia. It was attended by the parishioners and members of the Arnoldus family. Frank has served at Boronia parish for many years. ~

DMC is 20 YEARS OLD

24th Sept (Wed) – Wim Valckx has recorded for us this valuable piece of history:

“From our temporary home with the Passionists in Templestowe, Vic., we moved to our new house in Box Hill on 5th May 1988. Daryl Millard, a man of good taste and a great organizer, was our first Rector. Tony Broderick was formator; Jim Knight dean of studies; George Miller vocation director. I was given Room no. 201 in which Br. George K. is now. We had a few students: Greg Hughes (Aus), Albert Kim (Korea), Joe Dang (Vietnamese), Steve Marshall (Aus), Ryo Nishiwaki (Japan), while Tim Norton and Paul Kelly were doing their OTP in Mexico.

Daryl encouraged us to find a name for our new house. Suggestions would be listed and voted on by the house council. One morning that week I woke up and said some prayers and I asked the Lord, “What name (should we give) for our new house?” In a flash the answer came: “Dorish Maru,” (the Japanese ship that was strafed and many priests, brothers, sisters and missionary helpers perished near Wewak, PNG, in February 1944). The house council voted that name in. Ryo Nishiwaki designed then a vignette, a slender sailing boat, which is still in the letterhead of our stationary and on the big sign outside the parking lot.

On 15th November that same year, Archbishop Thomas Francis Little blessed the little chapel - and that was 20 years ago. ~ Wim