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28 September 2008
Australian Ministry
My trip from Pittsburgh to Chicago, to San Francisco, to Sydney was certainly long! With layovers etc it was about 25 hours! I arrived in Sydney around 7:30 am and was received the traditional warm greeting from our members. Landing at the airport at the same time was Fr. Lito a young Pauline Priest who was ordained 7 months ago He was returning from a formation and vocation meeting in Rome. Upon arriving at our community property I was impressed by the sound of numerous exotic tropical birds.
Our community residence and editorial office are all first rate, functional and comfortable. The Society is the official distributor of the World Youth Day DVDs. They should be arriving from the manufacturer this week. After a day or so of getting over jet lag I have learned the rail system for Sydney. There is a station 4 blocks from our community. The weather here has been perfect ranging from around 55 at night to 80 during the day. Everything here I am happy to say is very reasonably priced. I had a hot roast beef sandwich and a milkshake in a little café in the middle of the city and it cost $10 Australian. There is no tipping here in Australia! Another advantage. People are all very friendly and anxious to give directions so it is easy to get around.
The beauty of the harbour and the cleanliness of the city is quite impressive. I will be posting pictures on StPaulsTube.com soon. The Botanical Gardens, the Catholic Cathedral, and the Opera House are all spectacular. Everyday I find something new and interesting in the City. Sunday, however, was in many ways the most exciting because Fr. Mike Goonan took me to the Blue Mountains and Echo Point. They have a spectacular national park that is like a mini Grand Canyon! It is certainly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My big adventure for the coming week will be to go on a Whale viewing boat. They give a 98% assurance that we will actually see whales. It is about a four hour trip. If we don’t see whales we get a ticket for another trip. I start my preaching this coming Friday. I will be going to Brisbane the following week.
Jeff
P.S. I have seen giant man eating, blood sucking, hair grapping bats. Ok that is an exaggeration but I have seen bats with about a two foot wing span!
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Dear Father Jeff,
This is Ralph from Derby days.
'Just wanted to let you know that John Neilan is to have surgery today, April 21, 2009. He asked for prayers.
I have some details if you can email me:
fossor1@yahoo.com.
I've enjoyed St. Paul's Tube, especially "A Cat and His Priest". I've shared both with RCIA friends.
'Would have loved to been an Australian mouse in the corner - Oooh! Travelogue!!! 'have camera, will travel.
We had a Parish Mission based on "The Shack", not only was it well- received, but well-attended.
I can't say the book blew me away, but the strong message is still with me and I'm hearing it more than ever in our liturgy. 'Have you read it?
Our Kent-Salem Community Choir will be performing songs of inspiration, including selections from the Rutter Requiem, Sunday, April 26, 2009.
That will be at 4 pm, The 1st Presbyterian Church, 2nd St, Salem, Ohio.
Happy Easter and the Lord's peace to you.
Beautiful country and that bat is scary!
Am anxious to see the picutres. Get one of the bats!