Sr Meredith Evans RSM, 4 November 2021 Several weeks ago, Sr Meredith Evans rsm got a phone call. It was the 19-year-old son of her friend, to tell her that ‘Frances’ * mother had died. Frances was distraught. Could Sister Meredith come to see her? The two women had met eight years ago, when FrancesContinue reading “A refuge in grief – Sr Meredith Evans RSM”
Category Archives: Stories
A priestless town – Anakie not anarchy
Anne Hatte, 28 October 2022 “If I don’t go to them, they will never know who Jesus is, or that they are loved by God.” So Anne Hatte witnesses in her tiny, struggling community, as she hopes to leave a legacy for the next generations. Anne lives with her husband on a farm in Anakie,Continue reading “A priestless town – Anakie not anarchy”
Faith Margins, Even in the City
Fr Erick Niyiragira CP, 21 October 2021 I met Erick, now a Passionist priest, while we were studying theology together in Adelaide. He is a truly inspiring person and spiritual leader. While Fr Erick has been ordained as a priest, he was first ordained as a deacon. Even though this ‘transitional’ role often appears differentContinue reading “Faith Margins, Even in the City”
Patricia Smith – Voices to be Heard
Patricia Smith, 14 October 2021 Patricia Smith, who lives in Sydney on Darug and Guringai country, describes herself simply as a Catholic from birth with a deep love of the Eucharist. She sees herself primarily as a homemaker, a writer and a musician. Liturgical music is her way of serving her community, as a choirContinue reading “Patricia Smith – Voices to be Heard”
Sr Gerri Boylan SGS – Striking Gold
Sr Gerri Boylan SGS, 7 October 2021 The remote Western Australian gold-mining towns of Mount Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra are tiny, but very special. This is what the Good Samaritan Sister, Gerri Boylan, related to me, and I could hear the joy in her voice. Mount Magnet is 340km inland from Geraldton, the seat ofContinue reading “Sr Gerri Boylan SGS – Striking Gold”
Liturgy on the Margins
Australian Diaconal Ministry, Present and Future Once upon an outback prison, there was a need. A yearning for spiritual support and motivation. And there were not enough ministers to provide it. But one day, the appeal from the bishop and priest chaplain received a response, and a volunteer started to visit one of the units.Continue reading “Liturgy on the Margins”
Lydia – Dealing in Faith
There are only a few short verses about Lydia in the scriptures, but recently I was treated to a lecture all about her by Dr Rosemary Canavan of Catholic Theological College.1 It also gave us some great insights into the life and missionary work of Paul. By the way, Paul used the word diakonoi toContinue reading “Lydia – Dealing in Faith”
Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation
Sr Patty is a real inspiration to me. Not only is she the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, but she speaks clearly as a voice of justice and spirituality. She has written some wonderful articles for the Good Oil, including her hopes for women in Church ministries. From the very start,Continue reading “Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation”
Deacon Gary Stone – A Force of Compassion
Gary is a Brisbane-based deacon who has served as an army and police chaplain, and then established Veterans Care: “holistic care of body, mind and soul”. He set a time to contact me with military precision: 0900 hours, if you please. However, on talking to him, I found that he has calibrated his sharp sensesContinue reading “Deacon Gary Stone – A Force of Compassion”
Fr Harold in the Wilderness
“The walking smile.” That’s what Bishop Greg O’Kelly dubbed him, and the name has stuck. Fr Harold Camonias is like a strolling beam of sunshine and I was lucky enough to get to know him in the Port Pirie Diocese, South Australia. Harold is naturally gifted at youth ministry, and accompanied our World Youth DayContinue reading “Fr Harold in the Wilderness”
Liturgy on the Margins 