Edition 2 : June 2001
Greetings all
and welcome to this second email
edition of Edmund Rice News.

The scene above
was taken during the meeting of Province Leaders from Australia,
Papua New Guinea and New Zealand held at Canterbury University,
NZ in April. A beautiful autumn scene it shows participants walking
in the gardens of the university during one of the quiet times
for personal reflection. |
Quick Guide to this issue: |
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Edition
2: June 2001 |
Welcome to our second edition of Edmund Rice Email
News. As usual we have more news than space to publish it --
even on the web. Our congratulations to all those people who
have managed to make our news pages and help spread the marvellous
work that is being done in so many diverse areas of the life
of our community. The communities of Western Australia and South
Australia served by the Edmund Rice Family today face new challenges
that are no lesser in magnitude than those faced by the Christian
Brothers who have followed in the footsteps of Edmund Rice for
the past 200 years. The challenge of bringing the light of Christ
into educated, affluent and socially sophisticated communities
in language that intersects with the challenges and joys ordinary
people experience in their lives is a new situation facing the
Church. It is evident we do not yet have answers that are meeting
the challenge as so many people have been turning away from the
pathways offered by the Church. The process of discernment and
discussion that will help us meet these challenges is on-going
and the many initiatives being undertaken by members of the Edmund
Rice Family are surely, with the grace of God, leading us in
the right direction where our patience and diligence will soon
be rewarded. |
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NZ
Meeting advances discussion on Foundational Edmund Rice Spirituality
By Br Pat Kelly cfc
On Saturday April 21st all the
Leadership Teams from Australia, PNG and NZ, joined by Edmund
Garvey, assembled in Christchurch for a Gathering on Core and
Continuity -- Towards Foundational CB Spirituality. The pace
of proceedings during the next six days was placid, steady and
sensible, yet there was a searching that was focused and intense.
All were constantly involved in group work. Restructuring, which
surfaced as a major issue in both the recent Province Days, occupied
face-to-face contact time and quiet contemplative periods.
Frank Andersen and Madeline Barlow,
our facilitators, skillfully wove the business material into
the nightly Eucharistic liturgies. While there was a business
component for the conference and it got well attended to, it
was the element of Eucharist which captured the spirit and remains
with us as the most significant feature of our Gathering. Those
of us who attended the conference are eagerly looking forward
to once again being guided through what Eucharist means for us
by Frank Andersen and Madeline Barlow, at the coming Retreat
in Perth from July 7-13.

Participants at
the NZ PLT Gathering:
Back Row: Pat Kelly (WA-SA), Tony Shanahan (WA-SA), Joe Lauren
(NZ), Michael Godfrey (Vic), Bill Tynan (Q), Paul Robertson (NZ),
Peter Dowling (V), Michael Leonard (V), Kevin Ryan, Julian McDonald
(NSW), Andrew Simpson (PNG), Vin Duggan (PNG), Moy Hichen (NSW),
Norm Gilles (NZ), John O'Shea (NSW), Peter Richardson (Vic -
Secretary), Peter Nicholson (National Formation Co-ordinator
ERF), Steve McLaughlin (Q), Paul Oakley (NSW), Frank Perkins
(NZ).
Front: Kevin Delaney (V), Laurie Needham (NSW), Luke Quinn (Q),
Peter Negus (WA-SA), Edmund Garvey, Fr Frank Andersen (Facilitator),
Len Marshall (Q), Peter Clinch (V), Sr Madeline Barlow (Facilitator).
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Lord,
You sent your Spirit to be forever present in your Church.
Help us to treasure
the faith of our ancestors --
people like Edmund Rice who lived their Christianity openly and
courageously,
May we draw strength from their example as we live our faith.
Amen.
Opening prayer
from Chapter One "Growing in Faith" of "God
is in the Ordinary" by Teresa Pirola
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Olive
Harvest at Catholic Agricultural College, Bindoon
By Shendelle Mullane
While
most broadacre farmers are busy getting this year's crop in the ground,
students at Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon have nearly completed
their first harvest for the season -- olives.
Groups of six students have been
harvesting around 250 kilos per day with pneumatic rakes, then
sorting and washing the fruit and putting it through the Olio
Mio stainless steel, mechanical oil press.
CAC Bindoon's olive expert, Br
Francis Donohoe, said the olive oil making process was all natural,
essentially like making natural fruit juice. The end product
is an extra virgin olive oil.
"The main variety of fruit
is Verdale and there is also some Sevillano, or Queen of Spain.
This fruit has about a 10 per cent oil content so with a total
harvest of about one to one-and-a-half tonnes of fruit, we should
produce around a total of 150 kilos of oil or about 200 litres,"
he said.
"The best results are achieved
if the fruit is processed as soon as it is harvested. Consequently
we have a small number of students harvesting at any one time
as the oil press can only handle around 250 kilos a day. However,
all the Year 11 and 12 students had an opportunity to learn the
process as they have all spent a day in the olive grove."
Unfortunately, about 25 per cent
of this year's crop was lost to parrots a few weeks ago and some
of the remaining fruit was water stressed due to the long dry
spell. Hand picking of green-ripe fruit destined for pickling
occurred in early April. About 450 kilos of olives are currently
submerged in a vinegar/salt-solution and spice mix and will be
bottled at the end of the month.
The olive oil production is a
joint venture between CAC Bindoon and Mr Ian Rowe of Fulcrum
Enterprises. Mr Rowe has been involved in rejuvenating the College's
groves for the past four years and he supplies the equipment
used to produce the olive oil.
The olive groves at CAC Bindoon
were originally planted in 1948 and consist of some 450 trees.
It is managed by Br Donohoe in partnership with Mr Rowe. The
extra virgin olive oil and eating olives are available direct
from Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon.
Photo: Br Frank Donohoe shows Yr 12 student
Louise Stanley how to sort the olives after harvest.
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Tell the rest of the Edmund Rice Community of what's
happening in your sector. Send your stories to Pat Kelly or Brian
Coyne. If you have photos, logos or graphics all the better. |
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Governance
Conference, Queensland
Governance
and Restructuring are two terms used frequently at national and international
PLT meetings. How will our Christian Brother schools be governed in the
future? The question has been around for some time now. In 1997 our Province
held a symposium at Rostrevor at which Principals and Board Chairs were
present. A green paper which resulted from that gathering has been the
basis for further discussion by Province groups. The first National Gathering
on Governance met in Adelaide last November to discuss the possibility
of a unified national policy/structure of Governance for our Edmund Rice
schools. A second meeting was held in February of this year in Sydney.
The topic will occupy a whole day of the National Christian Brothers'
Principals' Conference in Adelaide in early June and after their last
National Governance meeting in Melbourne in August, the committee will
report to the ILC (Interprovince Leadership Committee) in November, 2001.
Photo: Third National Conference on Governance,
Indooroopilly Queensland, May 10-12, 2001: L-R Pat Kelly, Michael Thurnber (FacilitatorJ,
Bill Wilding (Principal St Kevin's Toorak), Peter Harney (Holy
Spirit/ SFX), Paul Oakley (NSW), Peter Cannon (Vic), Michael
Leonard (Vic), Elizabeth Dodds (SFX), Luke Quinn (SFX), John
Henry Thornber (NSW), Brendan McManus (Principal St Joseph's
Gregory Terrace Q), Dean McGlaughlin (Principal Rostrevor).
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Can
you help...
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Can
you help out at Eddy's Carpentry Workshop?
Br Peter Thrupp is looking for a volunteer
or two to help in Eddy's Carpentry Shop. He told ERFN, "I
work at the shop with Kids at risk on Monday Wednesday and Friday.
I'm OK for Monday but would love to have some keen person for
a couple of hours on either of the other two days."
If any one out there is interested in
helping out just ring Peter after hours on 9247 3657.
You don't have to be an expert carpenter
-- just happy to be with Kids.
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Kev
Paull finishes History of Brothers in WA and sends greetings
from UK
Br Kevin Paull left Perth at
Easter time after a flurry of endeavour to put the finishing
touches to his popular history of the Brothers in WA 1894-1994.
Morning teas at Westcourt miss
the exuberance of Kev recounting one of his many stories. No
doubt the corridors of Hawkstone Hall are echoing to laughter
as he embellishes his stories and holds attention with his facial
expressions. He writes:
"Greetings from .... Wait
for it .... Sunny England. Apart from a few cloudy days the weather
has been delightful.
Hawkstone Hall is a stately English home that has its origins
in Elizabethan times. The first owner was the first Protestant
Mayor of London.
I read the paper in the morning room which looks out on a lawn
that sweeps up to the horizon, filled with gardens of trees and
daffodils.
I half expect to see Jane Austen come in for morning tea. The
lectures are great. So far they have been on human development.
So I'm finding myself again! I enjoyed the trip over. At Singapore
my seat was upgraded to business class so I was wined and dined
across the skies; more importantly there was so much room. Regards
to all."
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2002
Bicentenary of Blessed Edmund Rice
By Donal O'Callaghan -- Edmund Rice
Office, Dublin
The Edmund Rice Office, Dublin
is engaged, on behalf of the Blessed Edmund Rice National Committee
and in association with the International Bicentennial Committee
(IBC), in planning a series of special events and initiatives
to mark the bicentenary of the foundation of the Christian and
Presentation Brothers.
While a number of events to mark
this highly significant occasion are being planned on a national
basis by the National Committee, the IBC, assisted by its Executive
Co-ordinator, Br Daryl Barclay an Australian, currently based
in Dublin, will direct its focus upon the international aspect
of the bicentenary.
An international event to be
held in Dublin over the weekend beginning April 5th will be a
peak event of the 2002 celebrations and it is envisaged that
members of the Edmund Rice family worldwide will congregate in
Dublin over this weekend to celebrate this important milestone.
A pilgrimage package eitherside of this event is also planned
The IBC is working closely with
the Blessed Edmund Rice National Committee in relation to a number
of common agenda items. The National Committee has established
a number of sub-committees to progress initiatives on a number
of fronts including those with special a special focus on schools,
youth and Brothers and families.
Calendar of Events
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Launch
2002 |
January
16 |
MIE, Dublin |
International |
ER Camps
January |
Australia |
St. Patrick's
Day Parades |
March 17 |
Dublin
&Cork |
General
Chapter |
March |
Rome |
Edmund
Rice Pilgrimage (1) |
April 1
- 4 |
Various
sites in Ireland |
International
Event |
April 5
- 7 |
RDS, Dublin |
Edmund
Rice Pilgrimage (2) |
April 8
- 11 |
Various
sites in Ireland |
National
ER Awards |
May 2 |
Tallaght
Arena |
Feast Day
Celebrations |
May 4 -
5 |
Local areas |
Knock Pilgrimage |
May 11 |
Knock |
Walk 2002 |
May 31
- Jun 3 |
Kilkenny/Waterford |
Trasna |
July |
Emmaus,
Swords |
Brothers
and Families |
April |
Regional
gatherings |
Leadership
Pilgrimage |
2002 July |
Toronto |
World Youth
Day |
July |
Toronto |
National
Gathering of ER Camp Leaders |
September |
Dublin |
Youth Forum |
September
17 |
Dublin
Castle |
National
Brothers & Families |
October
19 |
Waterford |
ER Bicentennial
Lectures |
November |
Dublin |
Closing
Event |
December |
Dublin |
The
specially designed logo at right will be used in conjunction with 2002
celebrations worldwide.
The theme for the year has also
been articulated in a mission statement which may be summarised
in the following sentiments:
Remembering the Past
Living
the Present
Seeking
the Future
The latest information 2002 Bicentennial
plans can be accessed through a new dedicated Bicentenary website
at: www.edmundrice2002.com
A new version of the Office newsletter,
now known as Network News and produced in collaboration with
the Christian Brothers' Communications office, is now available
from the Office at St. Patrick's, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9,
Ireland or online on the Office website www.er-in.com.
It is hoped that this latest
newspaper-style publication will contribute to the growth of
the Edmund Rice Network and will prove to be a valuable resource
for the members of the Edmund Rice Family in Ireland and internationally.
NOTE: A national Bicentennial Committee chaired by Michael
Dredge (St Mary's Province) will be coordinating the Australian
celebrations and separate committees will be established in each
Province. The Holy Spirit Province Committee is still to be convened.
An Australian version of the Bicentennial Logo is also being
produced for use in this country. |
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To add your name to
the email list:
This year the hard-copy edition
of Edmund Rice News will be published three times but the email
edition will be published each month. The hard copy edition is
for archival purposes and for community reception areas and for
those who do not have access to email. It will contain a summary
of what is published in the email edition. Costs are largely
what dictate this editorial change. It costs us literally cents
in distribution costs to send out an email edition to as many
people as we like. Each hard copy edition costs in the order
of $1 per copy for distribution.
We do need to build up our email
database. To make sure you receive the email edition in colour
send your email address to briancoyne@viastuas.net.au.
Let us know if you would like to receive the full email in html
format i.e. with all photographs and graphics or
a text message directing you to a website where it can be viewed
through a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
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Sabbath
Group Update
You may have seen the name or
even know some of the Sabbath Group members but know little of
its purpose or role.
In 1997, the first Sabbath Group,
consisting of nine Brothers was selected. Its principal purpose
was to (among four Terms of Reference) foster and support the
spiritual formation of the Brothers and the ERF. One of the main
early tasks was the organisation of the 1999 Assembly.
Before a year was out the Sabbath
Group realised it needed to co-opt ERF members to prepare for
the Assembly. Onny Brown (SA), Rob Marshall and Jill Parker (WA)
were asked to join the Assembly committee.
Following the great success of
the 1999 Assembly, the PLT decided to incorporate ERF members
into the Sabbath Group. A feminine presence, together with ERC
members representing our younger members, were the required 'ingredients'.
The 2001 Sabbath Committee is:
Brs Kevin Ryan (Chair), Peter Negus, Gerry Faulkner, John Ahern,
Steve Bowman, Tony Hackett, Mesdames Jill Parker and Onny Brown,
and Messrs Rob Marshall, Richard Mavros and Fernando Farrugia.
The committee meets four times
a year - March 19, May 11, August 18, November 16. At the March
19 meeting topics such as Dadirri, Retreats, ERF Links (WA) and
Brokers (SA), Chapters, ERF National Gathering (July 5-8), proposed
ERC 2002 Bicentennial Celebrations and a proposed Pilgrimage
were discussed.
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Edmund
Rice Centre:
An initiative of the Christian
Brothers and volunteers from the Edmund Rice Family supporting
newly arrived refugees from the former Yugoslavia, Central and
Western Africa and parts of the Middle East.
THE CENTRE REQUIRES DONATIONS
OF CUTLERY, CROCKERY, SMALL KITCHEN ITEMS SUCH AS POTS AND PANS,
TOWELS AND BED LINEN
Items do not need to be matching
sets but in good order.
Larger household items in good condition that you wish to donate
would also be appreciated.
Volunteer Teachers
Needed...
We are currently interested in
hearing from any part-time, semi-retired and retired teachers
who might be prepared to do some voluntary teaching of small
groups (6-10) of Adults who have come to Perth as Refugees Humanitarian
Entrants).
Volunteers are required for a minimum of 2 hours per week during
school term. Teachers do not necessarily have to be trained ESL
teachers. Appropriate support and materials are provided by the
Centre.
Phone Br Steve on 9440 0625 or
email him at: sbowman@westnet.com.au
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Edmund Rice Family
News is edited and produced by Brian Coyne for the Holy Spirit
Province of the Christian Brothers
Vias Tuas Communications,
7/63 Stirling Highway, NEDLANDS WA 6009 Tel: 9389 9829
email: briancoyne@viastuas.net.au
web: http://www.viastuas.net.au |
Content
©2001Congregation of Christian Brothers ~ WebDesign, Elements & Graphics ©2001Vias
Tuas Communications |
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