Community News_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ANNUAL COUNTRY FAIR - Sunday 8th March 2009 - This will be the forty fourth annual Country Fair, thanks to a brave band of about fifty volunteers and associates. Originally it helped finance the Monastery building program, but for many years now has been supporting various projects (e.g. schools, clinics, housing, monasteries), in developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, India and more recently the Philippines and now the democratic Republic of the Congo. The Fair takes place under the trees adjacent to the Chapel, and the day will include guided tours of the Chapel and Library. All are most welcome! TWO NEW POSTULANTS In the next three weeks, two new members will be joining us. They are fine men of strong faith and we invite you to pray for them as they discern within our community what God is calling them to be. AMERICAN SABBATICALS With David's return from several months sabbatical at St John's College, Collegeville, Minnesota, we welcome a former Abbot, who will be spending a sabbatical with our community, as well as visiting other Benedictine and Cistercian communities in Australia and New Zealand. He arrives February 2nd and be with us until September. He will be studying liturgy, monastic history and is interested in getting to know the native animals and plants of Australia. COTTAGE ACCOMMODATION TO BE REPLACED Hornsby Council approved the demolition of the Monastery Cottage, the original farmhouse, used by the first monastic community to occupy the site, then as the novitiate (for Frs Michael and David in the mid 1960's) and then for women retreatants for many years. Council has approved the building of a project home adapted to our needs. It will have seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, large kitchen - living areas, a 'rumpus' room and an area which can be used as a chapel. Contracts have been signed and it is hoped that it will be ready about July 2009 - if rain and the global financial crisis are kind to us and to the builder.
© Allworth Homes DEATH OF Fr EDWARD DORAN OSB Fr Edward died peacefully on Friday morning, 5th December, at 10.30am. Fr Simon had just anointed him and given him absolution, when he quietly breathed his last. The VIGIL will be held in the Monastery Chapel on Wednesday evening 10th December, at 7.30pm. The FUNERAL MASS will be held in the Chapel at 10.00am on the following day, Thursday 11th December. There will be a cup of tea for all, in the Cloister before the funeral procession moves to the Monks' plot in Castle Hill Cemetery. Fr Edward had been a member of the community for 50 years, joining while the monks lived at Rydalmere. He then studied theology at St Benedict's Abbey, Atchison Kansas, returning to Australia to be ordained in 1963. He then worked for over 20 years at St Leo's College Wahroonga, teaching latin, maths and religion. This was followed by a period as a chaplain at Mt Druitt hospital. In the community he was very involved in music for the liturgy, he was sacristan and did much cooking and gardening. He loved to organise, and was responsible, over the years, for the Country Fair, where he was helped greatly by wonderful committees of men and women - the proceeds usually going to development projects in India and Sri Lanka where we have Monasteries. The past few years were quite difficult for Edward because he had lost the ability to stand or walk, and at times had trouble feeding himself, and though he did not lose his cheekiness, his condition required constant care and specialized equipment. The monks are very grateful to McQuion Park Waitara, for their dedication and the attention they provided for the past two years of Edward's life. Amongst the joys of Edward's stay there were meeting up with parents of boys he had taught at St Leo's... and the odd half glass of red! Fr David, unfortunately, has been unable to change his flight back in time. but will be returning from his sabbatical at St John's Abbey Collegeville USA, on 17th December. As the community mourns the loss of Edward it prepares for the reception of two new members, Luke and Paul, who hope to enter in February 2009. May he rest in peace. WYD08 In July 2008, the monks hosted groups of young people from St Anthony's College Kandy, Sri Lanka, and a slightly older group from Detroit USA, who came with one of our monks, Fr John Martin Schimkus, as their chaplain. The monks enjoyed their company, and were impressed with their faith. Fathers Michael and David, meanwhile were involved in a desert retreat program for young people, at a site near Alice Springs. ELECTION In the Priory Chapter held from 18-21 February 2008, Fr Bernard McGrath was elected Conventual Prior. Your prayers are asked for the new administration and the community.
Community 2008 with Abbot General; absent owing to ill-health: Frs Bede & Edward ANNUAL COUNTRY FAIR Sunday, 9 March 2008 at the Monastery following Mass at 10.00am till mid-afternoon. Local produce & other stalls, major raffle, entertainment for children, BBQ, relaxed country setting. All welcome. In aid of work of our monasteries in mission areas. DESERT RETREATS - WYD 2008 Features:
Place & dates:
Cost & inclusions:
Bookings: info@wydtours.com Information: Sr Elizabeth Wiemers SGS: ekatew@bigpond.com
MICHAEL KELLY - NEW ABBOT GENERAL Fr Michael Kelly (who always wanted to got to the 'centre') has been elected the 115th Abbot General of our Congregation at the recent General Chapter. Michael is the second member of this community to be elected Abbot General, the first being Fr Simon Tonini in the 1970's. Michael plans to return October 23rd to 'pack his bags'. Fr David has returned home from the General Chapter.
Click here for an account of a further ecumenical tour exploring the art, history and monasteries of St Petersburg, Sweden and Denmark, 20/9/06-8/10/06.
_________________________________________________________________________________ Account of an experimental desert retreat in outback NSW, May 2006
______________________________________________ Annual Country Fair On Sunday 12 March there was held the 41st annual Country Fair at the monastery. A fine day and good crowd made a successful day. Proceeds aid our Indian and Sri Lankan missions, especially continuing post-tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka. ______________________________________________ Reports of David's visit to the Philippines, November 2005 - see following links: Meeting of the Benedictines of East Asia and Oceania St Benedict's, Corte, Carmen PI ______________________________________________ FLINDERS & OUTBACK TREK From 1-10 November 2005 Michael accompanied a group through outback South Australia. For an account click above link.
The Breakaways, SA ______________________________________________________________ EAST TIMOR - 2nd Visit Between 26 September and 10 October 2005 Angela Finnigan, Richard Cogswell and Michael Kelly OSB represented the Australian Christian Meditation Community on a second visit to East Timor. Click link above for an account (click thumbnail images to enlarge).
_________________________________________________________ Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) & Pope Benedict XVI As it is significant that the new Pope has chosen the name 'Benedict', we give a short note on previous Popes of that name: Previous Popes Benedict __________________________________________________________ An account of a 'pilgrimage to Central Australia (click link above) ________________________________________________________ THE HERITAGE TRAIL TOUR REPORT See 2004 TOUR for a report on this European tour accompanied by Fr Michael from 28 May - 21 June 2004.
One of the highlights - Saint Martin du Canigou _____________________________________________________ ECUMENICAL BENEDICTINE TOUR 2002 REPORT This was hosted by Fr Michael King OSB of the Anglican Benedictine Monastery at Camperdown in Victoria and Fr Michael Kelly OSB (Arcadia). It visited monasteries and cathedrals in France and Italy from 17 September to 9 October 2002. For report see above link. _____________________________________________
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