Catholic Outlook July 2016

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DIOCESAN NEWS Refugees find open hearts and homes By Elizabeth McFarlane NANETTE and Brian D’Arcy have been “welcoming the stranger” for decades. The couple led a group that has actively resettled 180 migrant families since the 1970s as a part of the Refugee Resettlement Program at St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill. Cardinal Freeman had asked Catholics to open their hearts and homes to the Vietnamese refugees. Nanette had been brought up housing the homeless through a ‘stranger room’ on the back veranda of her childhood home and felt a natural disposition to respond to the call. “The Vietnamese refugees were very grateful to anybody who would lend a hand and they found it interesting that people would help them, even though they were not blood related,” Nanette said. “But that’s been the history of Australia. Even when I was a child, we had a big influx of what we called ‘swaggies’ and they would come to the back door looking for a meal. My By John Ferguson, Executive Officer, Australian Catholic Social Justice Council THE MEMBERS and staff of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) were thrilled when we heard the news that Bishop Vincent Long had been appointed the Bishop of Parramatta. Bishop Vincent has been Chairman of the ACSJC since May 2015. His personal style has been obvious from the outset: a gentle presence, a deep sense of pastoral mission, and a powerful eloquence. The ACSJC is the national justice and peace agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Our mandate is to ‘promote research, education, advocacy and action on social justice, peace and human rights, integrating them deeply into the life of the whole Catholic community in Australia, and providing a credible Catholic voice on these matters in Australian society’. Nanette D’Arcy has been ‘welcoming the stranger’ for decades. Dad had a set-up in Tenterfield where they could bunk in and be warm, and my Mum would always feed them.” Along with the numerous families who visited and lived in the D’Arcy household, a As Bishop Vincent stepped into his role as our Chairman, we were preparing to publish and launch the Australian Bishops’ 2015–16 Social Justice Statement, titled For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers. This justice issue is dear to his heart and part of his own journey to Australia. At the launch of the statement in September last year, he showed himself as a powerful voice for justice and mercy: “I remember with pride the Australia that rose to the challenge in the past with its generous embrace of migrants and refugees. It proved itself especially courageous during the Indochinese exodus and accepted an unprecedented number of Asian refugees. Australia changed for the better as it always has with each successive wave of new arrivals … “We honour the legacy of this great nation not by excessive protectionism, isolation and defence of our privilege at all costs. Rather, we make it greater by our concern and care PHOTO: ELIZABETH MCFARLANE young man called Vincent Long would “drop by often for Vietnamese food, cooked by the two Catholic Vietnamese families living downstairs”. “Vincent was a rather studious, respectful A powerful voice for justice and mercy for asylum seekers in the spirit of compassion and solidarity.” The circumstances faced by refugees are not the only issue on the ACSJC’s agenda. Australia’s Bishops call us to speak out for the most marginalised in our society – particularly our Indigenous brothers and sisters. The Bishops speak out against structures and systems that keep people poor and voiceless. They speak for those who are exploited in the workplace – especially for those in slavery or slave-like conditions; for the elderly and vulnerable, including people with disability; and for our brothers and sisters overseas who deserve the support of rich countries like ours. On all these topics Bishop Vincent has shown leadership, compassion and a concern for the needs of ordinary people. The Council and Secretariat of the ACSJC look forward to working with Bishop Vincent to address these issues and send our prayers and best wishes to him and the rich and diverse diocese he leads. and shy young man, who we also came to realise had a great sense of humour,” Nanette explained. The D’Arcys continue to open their house to those in need, providing the essentials for life in a new land, and the company and warm kindness that led to them being the proud recipients of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1992. “The refugee boat-people have worked hard and they give back to society in so many ways. We now have lots of Vietnamese doctors, lawyers, chemists and dentists, whose parents worked long hours to give their children educational advantages,” Nanette explained. “Australia has gained so much, as has my family, and now we have a Vietnamese Bishop of Parramatta. Alleluia!” To watch a video of Nannette sharing her memories of the resettlement program, visit the Diocese of Parramatta’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ ParramattaDiocese/videos The cover of the Australian Bishops’ 2015–16 Social Justice Statement, titled For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas. IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MARY MACKILLOP NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE In this Sesquicentenary Year, the Sisters of St Joseph celebrate 150 years of Service and Mission. We invite you to join in this pilgrimage, commencing Melbourne 9 November 2016, ending Sydney 19th November 2016. LITURGICAL MINISTRY FORMATION COURSE This course offered by the Office for Worship begins with a Compulsory Introductory Session on Monday 15 August. Participants continue with the two-week course of their choice: * Ministers of the Word * Extraordinary Ministers of Communion * Communion to the Sick and Dying. Cost ex-Sydney per person twin share $2,860. Information: mmp.natonalpilgrimage@sosj.org.au Annie Bond rsj 02 89124818 2016 AUStrALIAN PILgrIMAge 9 - 19 NOVeMBer Held on Mondays, commencing at 7pm Diocesan Assembly Centre, 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown Applications close on 7 August. Register with the Office for Worship: ofw@ifm.org.au 10 CatholicOutlook | JULY 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org
DIOCESAN NEWS Introduction by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP embraces his friend and successor in Parramatta, Bishop Vincent. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK IN HIS introduction to the Mass of Installation of Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, said it was a night of great rejoicing for all across the Diocese of Parramatta. “It gives us much joy that Bishop Vincent’s mother, Mrs van Quang Nguyen, is here, along with his godmother, Mrs Thi-man Truong, and four of his siblings with their families,” he said. “Many of the bishop’s friends are here too, some having come from interstate or overseas. There are also many members of the Vietnamese Catholic community celebrating the first Vietnamese-Australian bishop of a diocese. “Bishop Vincent will quickly discover that Western Sydney is a most energetic and energising part of the Church in Australia today. It is the most Catholic part of our nation and where the Church is youngest, most ethnically diverse and fastest growing. “Parramatta is also the only Australian diocese in which all those who have been privileged to be Bishop are still alive; given that His Lordship can expect to have at least 20 years ahead of him we may not all be here to welcome the fifth Bishop of Parramatta! “I have known Vincent since seminary days and can assure the priests and people of Parramatta that they are receiving a shepherd after the heart of the Good Shepherd! “The installation of a new bishop marks the commencement of a new chapter in the life of the local church. These times call for bishops of faith and compassion, of courage and mercy. “Pope Francis has expressed confidence that Bishop Vincent is the man for this job. As Metropolitan Archbishop and as the bearer of the most recent posterior to have occupied this chair, it will be my privilege to seat the new Bishop in it.” Melbourne farewells Bishop Vincent Long By Most Rev Denis Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne, President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference ON 1 JUNE, we farewelled a bishop, a brother and a leader in the work of the Gospel. This farewell was particularly poignant because after arriving in Australia in 1980 by boat in challenging circumstances, redolent of so many migrants who were fleeing violence and terror, Bishop Vincent made his home in Melbourne. Three years later he joined the Conventual Franciscans and was ordained in 1989. His priestly ministry in Melbourne included the parish of Springvale and in May 2011 he was made Auxiliary Bishop. The last five years have been a remarkable story. It demonstrates what so many Catholics have to share so richly; we come from all over the world, we are nurtured with the faith that comes from the Apostles and we share the hope that no darkness can blot out. Bishop Vincent worked tirelessly, visiting and encouraging and reaching out to those who have lost faith, in the Western region and throughout the Archdiocese. He had a strong involvement in the social welfare of the Church and as Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. I offer my personal thanks to Bishop Vincent for his understanding, loyalty and friendship. I thank his mother and family for their support and gift of him to the Church. I thank the people of our parishes and the Vietnamese community for their love and encouragement. I know Bishop Vincent as a man of honesty and total integrity. This is a moment of recognition of the gifts which Bishop Vincent has carried so humbly and which he brings with him to the tremendous task of leading the youngest and biggest non-metropolitan Diocese in the country and he will do so with courage and devotion, always focussed on Jesus Christ. I know Melbourne will be richer because of his presence and courage, poorer and a little sadder because of his departure, yet filled with hope for what God will achieve through him in the Church. Archbishop Hart with a young Fr Vincent Long. Photo: Catholic Communications, Melbourne. Bishop Vincent we salute you as a successor of the apostles and a brother bishop; we wish you many years as the leader of Parramatta and we thank you for your kindness, your courage and your devoted leadership of our people. May the Lord be with you always. When the care you seek is unconditional - talk to us. wnbull@wnbull.com (02) 9519 5344 www.wnbull.com.au Parra_Outlook.indd 1 www.catholicoutlook.org 17/05/2016 4:51 pm CatholicOutlook | JULY 2016 11
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Catholic Outlook July 2016

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