The Far East - January/February, 2008
Contents
The Far East magazine is published by St Columban's Mission Society. It features articles and photographs by Columban missionaries from those countries where the missionaries work. The magazine was launched originally to promote mission interest in Catholic homes in Australia and New Zealand. The Far East magazine in Australia was published for the first time on 15th October 1920 and sample copies were sent to every parish and school in Australia and New Zealand.
Editorial - People on the Move
18.11.2008PEOPLE move because of the continual weight of anxiety; the gnawing feeling that no matter how hard they work their efforts will yield nothing, that what they built up in one year will be torn down in one day. more
China here we come
18.11.2008This year St Columbans Mission Society celebrates its 90th year as a Catholic missionary organisation. Here are some facts about the founding of the Society and about the first band of Columbans who "conquered" China. more
A dying custom
18.11.2008THE practice of crippling the feet of little girls in China is happily being discontinued. It did obtain universal acceptance amongst the Chinese with the exception of Buddhist nuns, Hakkas and the river population of Canton. In our district almost every girl you see has compressed feet. more
The way we were
18.11.2008In the early editions of The far East, children were invited to send their photographs and their letters to "Maureen" at The Far East. Maureen appeared in the first edition of The Far East with a column Our Little Missionaries. more
What colour will the Church be
18.11.2008Organisers of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing describe how they want to add Chinese colours to the event. They revealed their plans during an interview on the English speaking Chinese TV station. more
Come at once, Father!
18.11.2008Fr Hank Beninati, a Maryknoller* from Connecticut USA is still on mission in Yangji, the prefecture of Jilian, North eastern China. He has spent 13 years there as teacher in a number of schools and as pastor to a number of Catholic communities in outlying villages. more
Migrant life on stage
18.11.2008On one occasion the rehearsal was interrupted as the narrator broke down while describing family farewells at Manila airport. It's her own story. more
From rubbish to riches
18.11.2008The foil fruit drink pouch is the latest way to deliver and sell drinks in the Philippines. They are fast replacing bottled drinks as the most popular school drink. These pouches are also an environmental hazard. more
Reflection - Try a Little Tenderness
18.11.2008Sometimes the advertisement gets it right. Not in the way the designer had it in mind, focussed on promoting the product, but their words open to a deeper reality. more
Mission World
18.11.2008Australia's network of Catholic diocesan youth pastoral co-ordinators is working intensely in view of the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney in July this year. more
From the Director - A splendid cause
18.11.2008Every St Columban's Day when I was a seminarian we would sing this song and dream of China, Asia, Latin America and the "splendid cause" to which we were giving our lives. more
Columban goes home
18.11.2008Fr Dan O'Connor wrote this reflection on his years working as a Columban priest in New Zealand after working in Pakistan for 13 years. He spent seven years in New Zealand, returning to Pakistan in October 2006. more
An unbroken Catechist
18.11.2008It's a blessing if a person, a family, a community manages to break out of economic poverty. Few do. The fact is it needs a person, poor himself, to find a tangent out for others. more
Old age a gifted time
18.11.2008I thank God for old age. I feel blessed in my old age, more blessed than in other stages of my life. In some ways I am more peaceful; I have always worried. Now I am not asked to do so many things, I haven't much cause to worry. more
