As staff began planning farewell events to mark the departure of their director, Fr Greg Bennet they wanted also to think of a suitable gift to mark all that he had achieved in this new appointment to the Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Many suggestions were put forward by members of the staff but in the end they decided to just ask him what he wanted to mark this important moment in his life and ministry.

Greg said that personally he really didn’t need anything and said that nothing would be more pleasing to him than for the gift that marked the end of his time as director of the office to be of benefit to someone else.

Greg knew of and admired the work of a friend Fr Joe Ruys (an associate with the Columbans ) working in a mission parish in Peru. He commented that this is work he himself could never do – mission life is not for him.

Fr Joe was emailed  with the proposal that the gift for Fr Greg would be a donation to support the work he is doing. He was able to send a story about his work and some photos. These were formatted into an album which was presented to Fr Greg on the night of his official farewell.

Greg was overjoyed that the gift he received was indeed gift for another. The occasion was a poignant reminder to all present of the truth of the words St Francis of Assisi ‘for it is in giving that we receive.’

Carmel Crawford
Archbishops Office for Evangelisation