I have loved being a part of the communities in which I have lived. For seven years at La Grange Mission and eight at Balgo I was involved in every aspect of the life of the community, from the joyous times to those that left me near despair. It has been a real experience, and I have always felt that I was in the right place.
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John Frauenfelder
What is the best advice you would pass on to future seminarians? Your baptism was the greatest day of your life. Never forget you are a member of the Assembly and are called by ordination to serve that Assembly.
Don Coutts MGL
God is good. Looking over my life as a priest, there have been difficult times of course (as happens to everyone) but good times have far outweighed them. I can recall piloting aircraft over a long period of time, building an aircraft, ecumenical contacts and friendships, experiences in many exotic places of Australia as well as overseas and exciting insights, especially as a result of expanding my tertiary qualifications.
Broken Bay hosts national gathering
Thirty-one deacons, seventeen wives, four aspirants – from every state and territory, and Fr Frank Devoy, the Director of the Office for Clergy Life and Ministry, gathered together over the four days to share, to listen, to celebrate and to pray together. We were indeed blessed by the guest speakers who affirmed us, informed us and challenged us to be the best deacons possible.
Placid Spearritt
Abbot Placid was an exceptionally good and prayerful man. He knew what God had done with him in his becoming so. While he could accept our gratitude for God’s gifts to us through his ministry, he would not accept personal praise as being of much value in life or death.
John Leahy
John was a faithful priest, a caring pastor, a prayerful man. He was a gentle friend who radiated calm joy – a wonderful companion in ministry. His ability to laugh at himself and share his cheeky humour endeared him to all who knew him – and those who knew him, loved him. May his dear soul rest in peace.
Kevin Dadswell
The Diocese of Parramatta lost one of its most-loved priests with the death of Fr Kevin Dadswell, aged 79, on 9 July 2009.
Boxing: turn the other cheek
My career in the boxing ring, spanning 40 years, was not a chosen path – as I had always believed notionally in the Master’s words of ‘turning the other cheek’. However, Jesus forewarned St Peter that he would be led to where he did not wish to go. I suppose the same happens to all of us priests sometime in our lives.
Clericalism: The Death of Priesthood
George Wilson is a Jesuit priest who has served for 34 years on the staff of the US Management Design Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio. In relation to sexual abuse by Catholic priests, Wilson asserts that many believe the basic cause has been the clerical culture. And so, in his introduction he spends time pointing out it is important to understand just what is meant by the terms “clerical” and “culture”. He also indicates he has difficulty with the use of the term “priest” and “clergy” interchangeably.
Good Shepherds 1859-2009 – The Catholic Bishops of Brisbane
The Brisbane Archdiocese, like the State of Queensland, is celebrating its sesquicentenary. This publication offers a panoramic view of the first five Bishops of Brisbane with a foreword by the current leader, Archbishop Bathersby.
