For two decades Columban Fr Warren Kinne from Bundaberg, Queensland was a missionary in Communist China. Last year he returned to Australia with a new mission on the Gold Coast, close to his family. Read the interview conducted by the Catholic Leader in Brisbane.
Columban Fr Tim Mulroy reflects on the physical and spiritual need for clean water. He writes of the poor indigenous people in countries like Peru and the Philippines who are often uprooted from their ancestral lands by large-scale mining which poisons their water.
In a series of articles leading up to the Centenary of St Columbans Mission Society, we read about Columban Fr Malcolm Sherrard from New Zealand who was much admired for his steely determination and commitment to mission in the Philippines.
We publish the final articles in a series featuring the works of the Columban Mission Institute, Sydney, before its closure in September. Columban Fr Charles Rue writes about the Pacific Mission Institute where Columbans made significant contributions to the Australian Missionary Movement. Mission Studies continue today with Columban Frs Noel Connolly and Patrick McInerney still lecturing in the Masters programs at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and the Broken Bay Institute.
St Mary’s Primary School in Yarram have knitted a warm connection with St Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad and its Mobile Medical Outreach Programme. Read about these Mini-Vinnies making blankets to help Pakistani children in need.
This edition runs two stories on Myanmar. We see a positive step forward with Pope Francis meeting with Myanmar’s State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, resulting in a rumoured visit to Myanmar later this year. Sr Mary Dillon writes about the Columban Sisters’ work in Myanmar with those suffering from drug addiction.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist gives a moving and honest account of how his family treated his yaya (nana), the family’s house-help, like a slave. The story uncovers the culture of exploitation of domestic workers rampant in many countries.
Once again the Subanen Crafters (the Philippines) are hard at work making their beautiful hand-made Christmas cards. Evangelyn Gawason, a Subanen crafter, shares how she has been able to assist her family with food and education costs and the construction of an inside kitchen area for her family home.
As we celebrate ‘Father’s Day’ in September I would like to wish all fathers, including Columban Fathers, a happy Father’s Day. It is a special day for me as my twin sister and I were born on Father’s Day. My father said that he had his present for life. How true!
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, September 2017
