In this issue Columban Fr George Hogarty gives a graphic account of promoting The Far East magazine in far West Queensland. He writes with optimism and humour about travelling over 1900km in three days in the blazing heat and in torrential rain.
Recently appointed by the Australian Bishops to the Facilitation Team for the Plenary Council 2020, Columban Fr Noel Connolly speaks about the Australian Catholic Church facing “its biggest crisis in history.” On May 24, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, Patron of Australia. The reflection written by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, gives a detailed background to the origin of the Feast Day. This is an opportunity to entrust our faith in Mary for the success of the Plenary Council 2020.
Originally from New Zealand and working in Pakistan for over 30 years, Columban Fr Dan O’Connor is featured in the Centenary coverage of ‘Where are they now?'. He has contributed to this edition of The Far East with an article about the ‘Death of a human rights giant’ from Pakistan who died tragically in February.
‘Your Columban Story’ features an 84 year old benefactor who writes about driving a horse and sulky to school and delivering The Far East to a lady on a neighbouring farm.
The exploitation of migrant workers in Taiwan is highlighted in an article written by Columban Fr Peter O’Neill, previous Director of the Hope Workers' Centre in Taiwan. A young Filipino woman who had become seriously ill while on contract was denied any medical assistance.
The editor of the Hong Kong 'Sunday Examiner', Columban Fr Jim Mulroney, has retired after 15 years. He believes that one of our biggest mission challenges as a Church is to express our religion in simple, everyday language.
Syria continues to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. However, recently a group of refugees were able to flee to Italy because of a 'Humanitarian Corridor' project run by faith-based groups including Sant’Egidio.
Columban Fr Brian Vale reflects on Pentecost and on the variety of ways that the Holy Spirit moves us in our lives and in our ministries. The Holy Spirit calls us to be missionary disciples, to open our eyes and see beyond our own cultural lens to what God is inviting us to become.
After 40 years in Chile, Columban Sr Angela McKeever has returned to Ireland. For the last 25 years Sr Angela’s pastoral work has been visiting the oldest and one of the most dangerous jails in Chile where most of the inmates are addicted to drugs, drink, money and sex.
The Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR), now located in Blacktown NSW was officially blessed by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, on February 28, 2018.
As I write my ‘From the Editor’ column and reflect on each article, I am reminded of the commitment of those participating in God’s mission, particularly you, our benefactors, who have supported Columbans for the past 100 years.
Thank you.
Janette Mentha
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, May 2018
