January - Edmund Rice

Volume 6 Issue 1 January 2013
VISITORS WELCOMED
Lewisham Nursing Home
All are relatively OK at this time. BILL GREENING, on Floor 3, enjoys TV especially when
sporting events are on and reads the daily newspaper but his mobility is very limited.
RAY O’DONOGHUE, on Floor 2, enjoys collecting songs, titles and words which he
enthusiastically commits to a book used solely for this purpose. When he is not writing
words he is singing them. Ray keeps a diary of daily events and encourages his visitors to
make an entry. EUGENIUS O’CONNOR, on Floor 4, receives the daily newspaper in case he
wishes to read something and takes a mild irregular interest in the 'National Geographic'.
PETER MCCRACKEN receives the daily newspaper and spends time in the common room on
Floor 3. Peter is accepting this situation with a surprising peace of mind. Ray, being
active and quite safely mobile, does his best to keep in touch with the other Brothers by
occasionally riding the elevator to visit each floor.
Each of them always speak warmly of the visitors who come to see them. Please, let us
keep these Brothers and all of our other ageing dependent Brothers in our prayers.
Ray (left) and Bill enjoy
quiet drink in Bill’s room
Peter holds his cap,
finishing a drink in his room
Ray with social activities group
Joan Rafferty reported that Ray is doing wonderful work in Lewisham Nursing Home
engaging staff and residents in song and music. He would like donations of ALLEN’S SONG
BOOKS. If you can assist please contact Joan Rafferty at-
Tel: 02 9556 7033 or e-mail: jwrafferty@edmundrice.org
Tim Barnes, Article & photos, Thursday 17 th January 2013

Sunday Morning Tea at Charingfield
L to R Standing: Julian McDonald, Ted Davis, Vince Duggan, Desmond Taboeya, Brian Murphy, Francis ToLiman, Greg Riley,
Myron Byrne, John Loth, Mel Couch and Ken McEwan
L to R Seated: Vic Bell, Don Gallagher, Athanasius McGlade and Barney Garvan
(A good line up - the youngest candidates for the congregation, Current Provincial; three
former Provincials, Cluster Leader, a former Novice Master, former Headmasters, builders,
artists, Pastoral Care workers from schools, hospitals and gaols.)
Sunday Morning Tea at Charingfield is often a pleasant surprise time when Brothers
visit. Recently regular visitors, Barney Garvan, Brian Murphy, Greg Riley, Julian
McDonald and Vince Duggan all arrived on the same day with Desmond Taboeya and
Francis ToLiman who are on their way to Africa for their two-year novitiate. The
community wishes them well in the significant move and challenges in the years ahead
being so far away from home, family and friends. Of course the other big move has been
Athy McGlade, who after over 80 years in Strathfield is settling into Charingfield.
Only Athy knows how great a challenge this has been for him, yet, typically, he has taken
this challenge to prayer with an openness to what God asks of him. Myron Byrne, Ken
McEwan and Tim Barnes have been particularly helpful during the settling in period.
(There are now 11 Brothers residing in Charingfield: Jim Grovenor, John Griffith, Ken McEwan, Athy McGlade,
Myron Byrne, Bernie Magill, Vic Bell, Ted Davis, Mel Couch, John Loth & Don Gallagher)
Paul Corkeron, article & photo, Sunday 20 th January 2013
1944 Group Gathering at Waterford
L to R Back: Kevin Plummer, Lex Hall, Bernie Magill, Brian Moylan, Brian Murphy (Host)
L to R Front: Myron Byrne, Stan Madden, Don Gallagher and Bill Greening
The above photo shows a group of Brothers, who were Paddy Harty’s novices in 1944, at
a luncheon hosted by Brian Murphy at his Waterford residence, Waverley. Kevin
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Plummer, who had been in their class in St. Enda’s Juniorate was also in attendance.
These oldies shared precious memories as they travelled nearly seventy years down
memory lane while enjoying superb cuisine and warm hospitality.
On the 11 th February 1944, 38 young men received the habit. Two years later 33 of
them began life on the mission. Of these 33, eleven are still around Edmund Riceing
today.
The first of the group to die was Eugene Kenneth Ramsey, a smart young lad with all
A’s and Honour passes in the Leaving Certificate examinations. While using liquid oxygen
in a display he put on at St. Lawrence’s, South Brisbane’s annual fete, there was a
mishap. An explosion killed the talented young man.
Another of the group was Eric Raymer. Ever a sporting type, while on the staff of SPC
Strathfield in 1953 he took his rugby league team for a swim after a match at Wollongong.
One of the students got into trouble in the surf. Eric swam out to rescue him - successfully.
Sadly Eric drowned. His body was never recovered.
Over the years nine of the group have gone to their reward as Christian Brothers, the
last being the fun-loving James Murray, buried recently in Adelaide.
The group is grateful to Brian Murphy for his hospitality and also to Paul Corkeron for
services rendered. Myron Byrne, Thursday 24 th January 2013
NOVITIATE 2013 / 2014
On Friday 1 st February 2013 two of our
candidates from Papua New Guinea departed
Australia for the Novitiate in Tamale, Ghana,
Africa:
• DESMOND TABOEYA from Milne Bay and in
the Wewak Community who worked with
Callan Services National Unit;
• FRANCIS TOLIMAN from Rabaul and in Erima
Community who worked as a scientist at
Porgera Mine in the Southern Highlands.
From L to R: Desmond, Province Leader, Vince Duggan,
They will be joined by a number of other
and Francis
novices from across the Congregation. Over
the next two years they will discern and grow
in their understanding of the meaning of religious life in our unfolding universe. We
congratulate them, their families and local communities and offer our encouragement and
prayerful support.
Cyril Bosco, article & photo
REST IN PEACE
Brother Thomas Justin O'Farrell
Br Patrick White, now resident in Boondall, Queensland, sent this report on the
recent death of the oldest member of our Congregation (Tuesday 15 th January 2013)~
BR THOMAS JUSTIN O'FARRELL died on Saturday 5 th January 2013.
At the time of his death, Justin was the oldest member of our
Congregation, being 99 when he died. The wake and funeral were at Holy
Spirit Home, Carseldine, where Jus and his community have resided for
several years. The funeral was well attended by Brothers and relatives,
and was conducted expertly by Brother Tim Scott. Tim's attention to
detail is legendary, and everything possible was done to ensure that the
Justin celebrating
at Jubilee Dinner
[Photo: courtesy Br Tim Scott]
service went well and sensitively. One of Justin's relatives, Fr Jim
Pickering ofm, old boy of Gregory Terrace, was the principal celebrant.
Jim is the chaplain to the Spanish in the Wollongong Diocese, and also
has a ministry to the deaf there.
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Betty Finch
Our sympathy to Rod Shoebridge at the death of his sister, BETTY FINCH, just before
Christmas. On receiving the news, Rod travelled to Victoria and stayed there with his
brother, Kevin, and sister-in-law, Edna, at Sunbury. May Betty rest in peace.
Joan Dent
JOAN DENT, a lady fondly remembered as ‘librarian and friend’ at St Dominic’s
College, Penrith, died on Christmas Eve. She was aged 88 according to John Corbett.
While it seems she may not have had great health of recent times, the sad timing of her
death cannot be denied. Kevin McDonnell related that one of her sons visited her
residence on Christmas morning to tragically discover that she had died overnight. We
can only imagine the distress that this would cause to the family on Christmas Day.
Joan’s funeral was held at Our Lady of the Way Church, Emu Plains, on Wednesday, 2 nd
January 2013. May she rest in peace. Dave Curtin, Friday 28 th January 2013
EDMUND RICE CAMPS
2013 January Camps
During the first three weeks of January we had five camps
running out at Winbourne Mulgoa. These consisted of ninety
children who were from western Sydney and from Bowraville
on the mid-north coast NSW. The connection with Bowraville
has existed for over ten years and is a significant link with the
community which has given great support for the program.
One of the main strengths of Edmund Rice Camps is the
ability of young adult volunteers who engage, entertain and
show genuine care for all participants. This January was no
exception as we were again blessed with ninety quality and
energetic young adult volunteers. We could not discuss 2013 January Camps without
mention of the heat. With multiple days in temperatures of 30 degrees, including a few in
the 40 and up to 47 degrees, children and leaders alike survived with minimal waterfights
but maximum water-intake.
This month saw MATTHEW HERRO (picture) take on a three-month position
in the role vacated by Sam Belo. As a dedicated volunteer of three years and an
old boy of St Pat’s Strathfield, Matt did a fine job of supporting the volunteers
and ensuring good care for the participants, while also being a capable busdriver.
Thanks to St Dom’s and St Pat’s Colleges for lending us their buses.
Thanks, also, to Br Gary Ferguson, all Winbourne staff and caterers for their
supportive service; to the bus-drivers: Dave Curtin, Bill Cooper, Michael Flanagan and
Sam Belo. We are grateful to you, our readers, for your support as we speed into 2013.
Regards, Steve.
Sam Belo Resigns
After five years dedicated service to Edmund Rice Camps NSW, in
December 2012 SAM BELO (pictured) resigned from his position as
Programs Officer. In this time Sam was influential in developing a more
efficient and professional organisation, while maintaining an energetic and
welcoming environment. Some of his key initiatives were: expanding the
rural programs to Gulargambone and Goodooga, working with Year 12
students as leaders and the Edmund Rice Camps database and website. We wish him
well on his recent engagement, and all future endeavours.
Steve Cooper, article and photos, Tuesday 29 th January 2013
Editor: Cluster Leaders (e-mail: dm_curtin@yahoo.com / 2 Thames St, (Private Box 154), Balmain, NSW, 2041
/ brianmurphy2002@yahoo.com.au) T: +61 2 9810 3922; F: +61 2 9810 3033
Publication & Distribution:
John Roberts
Proof Reading:
Margaret Bourke & David Curtin
www.edmundrice.org
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