Our Province was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Brother Joseph Crowley.  We farewelled and celebrated his life on May 26th.  We were priviledged to have 13 members of his family with us.  A tribute to Joe is found on the next page.

2004 is a very important year for us.  From July 25th - August 15th elected and ex-officio representatives of each Province / Region along with our General Leadership Team will gather in Kamagut, Kenya for our General Chapter.  This event happens every six years and is the highest decision making body in our Congregation.  The Brothers who gather will have the task of setting directions for us for the six years from 2005-2010.  A General Chapter is also responsible for the election of a new Superior General and Council.  Some time after August we will be pleased to welcome home Brother Philip Mulhall whose time away has spanned some twelve years - six as Vicar General and six as Superior General.

A General Chapter also signals a change in leadership at the Province / Regional level.  After returning from Chapter our Province will begin the discernment process that will conclude with the appointment of a new Provincial and Council.  As you can appreciate such tasks are strengthened by the prayers of our many friends.

Our newsletter, the first for 2004 will attempt to share with you events important to the life of our Province and to individual Brothers.  I trust you will enjoy reading about these.

In Love and Confidence,

Brother Paul O’Keeffe
PROVINCIAL

BROTHER JOSEPH CROWLEY, RIP

Our Province was stunned by the recent untimely death of Brother Joseph Crowley on May 19th.  The following pen picture of his life is a combination of thoughts shared at his funeral by his sister Pat (Sr Agnes RSM) and our Provincial, Brother Paul O’Keeffe.

Joseph Patrick Crowley was born on April 10th 1942 the second child to William and Mary Crowley in Kilvemnon, Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.  Despite the fact that he left home at the age of 14 to join the Patrician Brothers and left Ireland at the age 19 to come to Australia he nevertheless held a special place in the life of his own family.

His home visits to Ireland enabled him to visit family and friends.  He was often found helping on the farm, doing the gardening and housework or cooking a lovely meal.  He thoroughly enjoyed the sights of his homeland and even managed to climb Slievenamon Mountain.

Joseph Crowley’s life in the Patrician Brothers began on the 28th August 1956 when he entered the juniorate at Mt St Joseph’s, Tullow to finish his school education. He progressed to the next stage of his Formation when he was received into the Novitiate on August 15th 1958 and was for some time known as Brother Senanus. He made his first profession one year later and continued his studies for the Leaving Certificate at the Monastery in Tullow and achieved this in the summer of 1961. At this stage young Brother Senanus was 19 years of age. In September of that year while he was working in the monastery garden Brother Sylvanus Commins informed him “you can go home tomorrow for two weeks and then you will be going to Australia.” Joe never said how he reacted to that statement!

 Joe arrived on the 7th October 1961 and after spending a few weeks at Wahroonga went to Sefton to take Brother Eugene’s class while he corrected the Primary Final examination. Later that year Joe was sent to Liverpool where he remained for 9 years. He subsequently taught at Blacktown where he was Deputy Principal and spent time in Wahroonga as Junior Master teaching at Holy Cross College, Ryde. His longest appointment was to Granville which is now known as Delany College. Joe spent 18 years at Granville in the role of Principal, his good friend Fr Les Campion was one of eight priests who concelebrated Joe’s requiem mass.

Joe had the chance to spend time overseas studying from 1995 to 1997. When he returned he explored alternate ways of being involved in education apart from administration. It was during this time that he found a love for Counseling and working in the role of home-school liaison person. Here he was able to get in touch once again with young people and their families, a role he subsequently carried out at Fairfield in both the Primary and Secondary school and until recently at Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan. 

Whether he was involved in teaching, administration or counseling Joe’s qualities as a wonderful human person came to the fore. He exuded a quiet confidence but above all a genuine love for those whose care he was charged with. It really was “ Christ in the heart of everyone who sees me.” Staff loved his genuineness and friendly disposition, as did the students.

 Joe was a great worker. He would always be seen at the helm at school fetes at Granville and elsewhere with his infectious enthusiasm. The inability to get involved in outside work to the same extent over the last couple of years due to medical problems was perhaps the biggest burden he had to bear.
Joe’s ministry in education cannot be divorced from his life as a Patrician Brother. It was from the men he lived and prayed with that he received the strength to tackle what lay ahead each day. The daily recitation of the Breastplate of St Patrick became his guide for the way he was to act towards others. Joe always began his day with prayer both in community and in private followed by Mass. 

The documents that guide our way of living as Patrician Brothers state very clearly “Community is a core element to be prized, lived and nurtured.”  Joe was first and foremost a community man. He was a homemaker and did so much around the house to make those with whom he lived happy to be there. In typical Joe style the night before he died he had prepared a beautiful dinner for our Provincial Council and had been telling everyone how pleased he was that his sisters Maria and Pat were coming to Australia in August. It just goes to show how sudden his death was.

Several hundred people gathered on May 26th with an enormous amount of sorrow in their hearts but  also in great joy for the life we celebrated. Joseph Crowley was a beautiful person, a greatly family member and Patrician Brother. He was a gentle man whose qualities of kindness, love and care of others were seen so often in his dealings with all those with whom he came into contact. He was a man each of us was proud to call brother, friend, counselor, mentor, fellow Patrician; greatly loved by each of us and by God. 

A CHAIRDE UILIG, GUIMIS RATH DE ORAINN GO LEIR ATA CRUINNITHE ANSEO INNIU, AGUS SOLAS NA BHFLAITHEAS, AR AR MBRATHAR, SEOSAMH O’CHRUALAOICH.  AR DHEIS DE GO RAIBH A ANAM

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DANIEL DELANY STATUE

As many of you would recall 2003 was the Golden Jubilee of Patrician Brothers Fairfield.  As a fitting conclusion to the Jubilee year this brass statue of our founder Bishop Daniel Delany was erected in the school playground.  It is a tangible reminder of the schools Patrician connections which can’t be overlooked.  Congratulations to Michael Krawec, Principal of the Secondary School for this great initiative.  Daniel Delany now occupies a central place in the College.

Go to further webpage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

VISITATION OF WEWAK AND AITAPE

I recently had the pleasure of visiting our brothers in Wewak and Aitape, Papua New Guinea.

Due to a hiccup in Port Moresby I spent the night there courtesy of Air Nuigini with the flight to Wewak leaving the next morning at 4am (Yes, you did read that correctly).  Stephen was there at the airport bright and early to meet me.  My arrival boosted the Patrician presence.  Peter and Thomas had both arrived from Goroka after attending the national conference of religious leaders.

The couple of days in Wewak allowed the four of us time to enjoy each other’s company and also some of the sights of Wewak.  We visited the war memorial at Wom, had an enjoyable picnic on Wom beach and took in some of the more scenic spots of Wewak.

Stephen continues doing a tremendous job at Callan Services.  His expertise with the computer and other equipment is amazing.  He showed me a video he put together for EMTV on the work of visiting ophthalmic surgeons which was very impressive.

My time in Aitape spanned the events of Holy Week and Easter.  The prayer life of the community was enhanced thanks to the efforts of Tom Rice and Felix Surwa (novice) who was responsible for leading prayers that week.  The photos below (left) show the sacred space set up in the chapel.
 

Easter Monday saw the community enjoy a picnic at Lemieng.  The photos above (right) show the preparations of our simple repast and the enjoyable time had by all.

Another feature of my visit was the opportunity to present a two-day seminar on the Gospel of Luke to a combined group of people in formation.

As well as our own novices, the Poor Clare Sisters, Presentation Sisters, MFIC Sisters and the St John of God Brothers joined us.  The photos below show some of those involved in the seminar.

Our own novices are engaged in teaching catechetics in Aitape Community School.  Although not all will end up in the classroom the skills they are learning will be very useful in the future.

In previous newsletters I have mentioned the community’s vanilla project.  The photo (below left) shows that the pods are not yet ready but getting close.  The sale of these vanilla pods will provide an added income for the community.

The resident Patrician community at Aitape (above right) at the time of the visitation was three professed Brothers and seven Novices. Soon too arrive was Marcellus Broderick to swell thye numbers even further. Novice Peter Seiwo's photos has had to be inserted (middle back) as he was attending his brother's funeral when this photo had to be taken. Our sympathies to Peter.

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AUSTRALIAN PATRICIAN WEBSITE                                                           - Br Stephen Sweetman

I just thought I should take the opportunity of this issue to let Brothers and friends know how the Australian Patrician website is travelling.

The table may surprise you in two ways. Firstly you might have thought the site would get more visitors than it does, but then again maybe you are surprised how many visitors it does get; and secondly you might be surprised by the countries that have visited the site, and then maybe surprised by the countries that don’t visit it more.

Since April of 2003 the site has had more than three thousand visitors which averages out to around eight visits a day. That for me is enough to warrant continuing the site. But I must admit that I do scratch my head a little at some of the countries that visit, but it is a pleasant scratching.

In case you are wondering, while I can get the stats on which countries visit the site I do not know where in those countries or who those visitors are.

I would call the site a “living site”, always open to new ideas and developments. I am always asking for articles - it’s a bit difficult to do justice to all that’s going on and all that’s being achieved when I am somewhat isolated up here in Wewak, Papua New Guinea - and I would also like to hear from anyone who has ideas on how the site could be developed. I am thinking of having a section of the site dedicated to prayer, where people could download prayer services suitable for all sorts of occasions: staff meetings, school R.E. classes, community prayers, etc. Any other ideas?

I would like to thank those people who do take some time to actively contribute to the website, especially the Brothers who look after the various congregational newsletters and to Mr Kevin Scott for his amazing “The Green Sash”. And thank you to those who offer the occasional word of encouragement.

Stephen Sweetman
Webstudent

A RETIREMENT FROM TEACHING - PETER HIGGINS

On October 9th, 1959 Brother Peter Higgins arrived in Australia along with Brothers Charles Barry and Flannan McCann.  Some 44 years later Peter (once known as Brother Irenaeus) has decided to retire from teaching.

Peter began his teaching career at Granville just three days after arriving in Australia with a class of 75 boys.  Most of these boys had just arrived from Europe and had difficulty understanding the Irish accent.  Peter also had difficulty understanding the mix of accents from places like Poland, Hungary, Italy, Malta and Lebanon.  A far cry from the fields of Athenry!

Peter soon learnt that the hot weather and the wearing of heavy black soutanes more suitable for the Irish climate necessitated frequent change of clothing during the day.  White soutanes in the mid 60’s were an absolute boost.

Throughout the years Peter involved himself in coaching swimming, cricket, athletics and rugby league.  He had his share of wins in most of these sporting areas.

Peter has taught at Granville, Ryde, Forest Lodge (where he was the last Principal), Blacktown and Liverpool.  His forty four years were spent equally divided between Primary and Secondary, 22 years in each.  Peter found himself involved in fund raising for our training college at Wahroonga.

What’s next?  Peter still has a role in the school at Blacktown but not teaching.  He has recently taken on one day a week at Our Lady of Lourdes parish at Baulkham Hills.  Peter assists in the Pastoral Care of the sick in their homes and in hospital as well as being a presence at weekend Mass.

Well done Peter.  Your contribution to the lives of so many boys over those years would be amazing.  Our thanks to you for your very important work in our Patrician ministry.  Our best wishes go with you in your future efforts for God and our Province.

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JUBILEE OF ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC BOYS COLLEGE

2004 Is also the jubilee of All Saints Catholic Boys College, formerly Patrician Brothers Liverpool.  May 14th saw the present staff, students and a good number of brothers gather for a celebratory Eucharist.  His Eminence, Cardinal George Pell was the principal celebrant along with a number of priests formerly in the parish and some ex-students.  The liturgical movement which accompanied “The Deers Cry” was something to behold.

Liverpool boasts two ex-students who are now Patrician Brothers - Matthew Mahoney and Stephen Sweetman.  Matthew Mahoney was principal from 1984-87 and again from 1990-2000 some fourteen years in all. Stephen Sweetman along with his brothers saw many of the changes that took place in the growth of Patrician Brothers Liverpool.  Both Matthew and Stephen could talk about brothers like Gerald Egan, Ignatius Barrett and Dominic Coates as well as lay teachers like Claude Davis and Denis Culloty who is an affiliate of ours. (Photo: Br Matthew Mahoney and Acting Principal Mr Denis Habermann cutting the Jubilee Cake.)

There may be some of our readers interested to know that on October 30th a jubilee dinner will be held at the Liverpool Catholic Club.

JUBILEES 2004

This year sees three of our Brothers celebrating jubilees.

Bernard is a Tipperary man where they wear the blue and gold as also do the Parramatta Eels football team.  Bernard arrived in Australia in 1956 and was assigned to the community at Blacktown where he spent some 29 years in all.  Bernard’s contribution to education in the Blacktown area is legendary as is the energy he possesses.  As well as Blacktown Bernard taught in Forest Lodge and Ryde.  Prior to his retirement from teaching Bernard spent ten years as Principal at Fairfield.

Following some time out which included retraining, Bernard has transferred his zeal and energy into hospital and goal visitation.

Over his 50 years of living religious life Bernard has brought much to the communities he has lived in.

We salute you Bernard on remaining faithful to the God who called you 50 years ago. Go to further webpage

Basil hails from the county of Roscommon in Ireland.  Following his novitiate he made his first profession of vows in 1944.  Prior to leaving for Australia he taught in Tullow and Carrickmacross.  He arrived in Sydney in 1949 where he was assigned to the community at Forest Lodge an inner city suburb.  He served here in 1949-50 and 1954-59 as well as 1961.  Over his many years in education he taught in Waterloo, Blacktown and Sefton.  His longest time was spent at Liverpool from 1966-1988 as Principal of the primary school.  Following his retirement from the school scene Basil took up parish work in the nearby parish of Sadleir-Miller.  Being always full of energy Basil then took on parish work in Liverpool which included school visits and taking communion to elderly people both at home and in nursing homes.  Basil is now a member of the Blacktown community and tends the lawns and gardens around the monastery in his typical energetic style.

We congratulate Basil and thank him for 60 years of faithfully lived religious life.  Well done!

Also celebrating 60 years of religious profession is Cronan O’Meara presently resident on Thursday Island.  While Cronan has always been involved in the apostolate of Education his places of ministry are quite different to Basil’s with whom he shared many years in community at Liverpool.

Cronan also made his first profession in 1944.  He arrived with Basil and Gerald Egan (RIP) in 1949.  His places of ministry apart from Liverpool were Ryde, Forest Lodge, Waterloo, Redfern, Granville and Blacktown.  Worthy of special mention is Cronan’s time in the tropics.  He spent time in our communities in Aitape and Nuku in Papua New Guinea as well as Thursday Island mentioned previously.  Cronan has always been willing to take up the challenges of mission appointments for which we are most grateful.

Along with Basil and Bernard we congratulate Cronan on 60 years of religious life lived faithfully as a Patrician Brother.  We thank him for the contribution he has made over that period of time.

ON THE MOVE - DESTINATION PAPUA NEW GUINEA

A big welcome to our Province for Brother Marcellus Broderick (right) who is on loan to us for the next two years and who has just joined our community in Aitape, Papua New Guinea.  Marcellus has worked in California and for the last 37 years has been in Kenya.  We thank him for his generosity and pray that through his presence in Aitape our efforts will continue to flourish.

Also on the move is Brother Thomas Rice (left).  Thomas has been part of our presence on Thursday Island since 1998.  Tom has recently been in PNG attending a conference of religious from all congregations held in Goroka.  He went on to Aitape to ‘test the waters’ and has returned to Sydney full of his characteristic enthusiasm.

NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE                                                                    - Br Charles K. Barry

“Stone walls do not a prison make nor iron bars a cage”, thus spoke the 17-century English poet Lovelace.

The Villawood detention centre in Sydney doesn’t have any stone walls but sure has plenty of wire - 2 lots of perimeter fences 5 metres high, 10 metres apart with vicious looking rolls of razor at the top and bottom of each.  Security cameras and unsmiling ACM (Australian Management Services … a private U.S. company) personnel abound while incarcerated inside is an extraordinary mix of 350 odd detainees from about 40 different countries.  A more depressing and inhospitable environment would be difficult to find anywhere in Australia.

Up to 4 hours weekly I spend in these hostile surrounds and at least one third of that time is spent queuing with dozens of other visitors in a drab shelterless and seatless compound between the fences.  Meanwhile 2 disinterested officials check ID’s, the clothing, bag contents etc before issuing a coded wristband and stamping the back of your hand in a UV lit room.  Both inmates and visitors are treated like criminals.
Inside only a classroom-size open shed provides any shelter from the elements.  No umbrellas are allowed in and if it rains you get soaked and get scorched with the hot sun as only a few groups can get shelter.  The rest have to sit outside in the dusty open area on stools or plastic chairs.

About 8 months ago I was asked to visit, in a voluntary capacity, a number of detainees who suffered from anxiety, depression and related conditions, and befriend some of those who had no outside contacts in Sydney.  The majority of them are genuine refugees while others have had their TPV (temporary protection visas) revoked.  Others are economic refugees or simply overstayers with no chance of gaining permanent residency.

The trauma generated by the waiting, the uncertainty and the isolation is greater than the actual physical deprivations they endure.  Added to these is the fact that study and recreational facilities are almost nil and only 8 of the 34 children there are allowed out for schooling.

Surely there must be a more humane way by which this sorry refugee saga can be addressed!

TALENT ADDS UP!
 

Congratulations to Brother Domenic Xuereb (reprinted in part from the Fairfield Advance of December 26,2003) pictured below with Year 11 students who have excelled in their studies at Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield.

STATE-WIDE School Certificate results show Year 10 students have maintained a strong performance in maths this year but Fairfield’s Patrician Brothers College has surpassed the benchmark.

With a tradition of excellence in mathematics, the College implemented an accelerated maths program almost 10 years ago.  Since then the program has grown and Year 9 students who sat advanced School Certificate maths this year almost doubled to 33.

Fourteen Year 10 and 23 Year 11 students took Higher School Certificate maths, with 14 more Year 11 students taking HSC maths extension one.

Maths department head Brother Domenic Xuereb said the College tried to encourage extended learning in all subjects but maths had been its strong point for some years.  “It’s a lot of work.  The boys do two years worth of work in one year.  But it means they can finish maths before Year 12 ? easing their load so they can do well at something else.”

To cap the College’s outstanding results, three of the 14 Year 10 students who completed their HSC maths were in band six ? the top 10 per cent of the state with a mark of 90 or higher.

As for the rest of the state, 22,500 mathematics students achieved a place in the top two performance banks with a mark of 80 or higher.

FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS

Brother Mark Ryan received the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal, from the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard on 21 November, 2003 at the Epping Club.

His medal honours over 300,000 Australian young men who were involved in the National Service Programme, some of whom served and died in Vietnam.

Young Mark was a tender 19 year old when he arrived at Holsworthy in 1953 to begin the 98 day training course.  12th Battalion was part of an Artillery Regiment and private soldiers began their Military careers as “gunners”.  Be it noted that Mark earned his first stripe and was promoted to Lance Bombardier!

National servicemen were posted to Citizen Military Force establishments to complete their part time service of 2 years.  Mark ended his service in the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Haberfield.

The institution of this medal has been a long awaited event and is cherished by former National Servicemen. Mark is shown here with Bernard Bulfin, Paul O’Keeffe and Prime Minister John Howard after the presentation. Go to further webpage

We also congratulate John O’Leary (formerly Brother Columban) on his reception of a Rotary Award for excellence as a teacher.  The Hills District Rotary Club gave three ‘teacher excellence’ awards, open to all teachers in schools of the Hills District.  John was nominated by a parent and endorsed by his principal at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary, Baulkham Hills.  John spoke warmly of his time as a Patrician Brother.  Bernard Bulfin and Aengus Kavanagh were able to be present.

PATRICIAN BROTHERS' PRIMARY, FAIRFIELD

December 2003 saw the handing over of the leadership of Patrician Brothers Primary, Fairfield to lay leadership.  Brother Nicholas Harsas after a period of some nine years, seven of those as Principal has now moved to the Principalship of St Therese Sadleir-Miller.  St Therese is a coeducational school with children from Kindergarten to Year 6 in a rather low socio-economic area of south western Sydney. (Photo: Br Nicholas in front of his school for the last time.)

Brother Nicholas’ departure marks the end of the leadership of the school by a Patrician Brother.  Men like Celestine Mulhall (RIP), Joseph Byrne, Richard Doheny and Thomas Rice have played pivotal roles in the schools development over the years.

While there is a sadness involved in such a move there is an awareness in educational circles that one cannot remain forever in the one school.  Brother Nicholas has left the school in excellent educational shape and we are certain that the Patrician charism will continue to flourish. (Photo: A group of the Brothers at the Farewell Mass.)

NEWS SNIPPETS

Please pray for the success of the upcoming General Chapter of the Patrician Brothers. It will be held in Kamagut, Kenya from July 25 to August 15, 2004.  The following Brothers are representing our Province.

Paul O'Keeffe	Peter Ryan	Aengus Kavanagh	Nicholas Harsas

On the step of St James' s church and a serious gathering of monks attending  the Mass