The Far East - September, 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 - Neither enemies nor friends
25.11.2008Such is the power of the media and the culture to keep us on the back foot. For a few days during World Youth Day we saw a different dynamic on display in Sydney and it was a marvellous faith-filled spectacle. more
Welcomed to Fiji
25.11.2008When 13 priests of St Columban's arrived at Suva on February 22, 1952 they opened a new chapter in our Mission's history. In addition to China, Korea, Burma, Japan and the Philippines, we now count Fiji among the places which particularly solicit our aid - and yours. more
Long captivity ends
25.11.2008On the first Sunday of Our Lady's month, May 2, the St Columban priest who had endured nearly three years of cruel captivity on the charge of organising the Legion of Mary arrived in Hong Kong. Father Aedan McGrath was free again, was able to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. more
Test of faith
25.11.2008My family lives in Fiji. Its location in the South Pacific means that it's in the pathway of hurricanes that cause widespread destruction to property and injury to people. more
It was like a miracle
25.11.2008"When I was away for two years and eight months, nobody knew where I was, whether I was alive or dead. But I was in solitary confinement, that's their treatment. more
They are not conquered
25.11.2008Today Vietnam is a popular holiday destination for people from ANZ. Catholics are familiar with the faith of the Vietnamese people and the persecution they have suffered for many years. We acknowledge their courage and their fidelity to the Catholic Church. more
Reflection - Sane in an insane world
25.11.2008My experience of working as a Chaplain in a mental hospital back in the late 70s left many lasting impressions on me. more
Children behind bars
25.11.2008There has been progress in saving and releasing hundreds of small children and youth from stench-filled cells across the Philippines. more
You Dao - the migrant's friend
25.11.2008organisation You Dao in Shanghai, China. He lectures in Fudan University in Shanghai. After 10 years of living in Beijing and Shanghai he has a deeper understanding of what is happening to some of the people in China, in particular, its internal immigrants. more
Bakers delight
25.11.2008Fording flooded rivers on horseback, travelling to remote places few missionaries had gone before, risking malaria & disease and spreading the Word of God in the Far East. Tales of adventure in an era of great missionary work that first inspired three brothers to become Columban priests. more
Mission World
25.11.2008Pakistan (UCAN) - Prince Naeem was overjoyed after his parish priest at the end of one Sunday Mass offered computer classes for the youth. more
From the Director - How do we face evil and maintain our joy?
25.11.2008For some time now Hugh Mackay has "credited" the growth of fundamentalism or the retreat into private spiritual worlds on the rate of change and the increasing number of complicated issues facing us in the modern Australia.
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Pilgrims of faith
25.11.2008World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world. This year it was held in Sydney from July 15-20 and attracted 223,000 pilgrims, including 110,000 from 170 nations making it the largest event ever hosted in Australia. more
Musical bible
25.11.2008The textbook which the students use in the European Culture class, contains a section on the Bible and on the great Western composers. I decided to try a musical experiment to see how it would appeal to my students. more
My life and smart kids
25.11.2008My First Holy Communion at age seven was one of the most important experiences of my life. After coming home from church that day, my mother sent me out to the farm to call the workmen for lunch. I felt Jesus' presence. I stopped and told Him that I would always do His will. more
