This is my last editorial for The Far East. After nine years I have the greater task of writing the Director's Column for each issue. What a challenge and I still have to worry about deadlines.
One of the major difficulties in changing jobs is in saying goodbye to people and 'moving on.' 'Moving on' is one of the new phrases that drives me mad because it skims the surface of true feelings of sadness or joy. I am fortunate that I only have to walk down the corridor to another room where the Director resides.
The Far East will continue with a new Columban Editor, Fr Dan Harding, who has come to Melbourne from Santiago, Chile to take up this new role. I wish him many blessings in this new job which is important to our future; we call the magazine our flagship. It still provides our benefactors with a window on Columban missionary activity in the world.
Fr Dan has spent the last 21 years in Chile. He is giving up a lot to come to Australia. When you spend that much time with people who have become 'your people', when you have made the effort to learn their language and culture, when you have shared a good part of your life with them, it is difficult to pack your bags and leave. It really is one of those times when St Columban's words ring true: We belong to God and not to ourselves.
Fr Gary Walker
TFE@columban.org.au
Read more from The Far East, January/February 2012
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