ST. CANICE NEWS
September 2022
Farewell to Lynelle
Our St Canice Parish Manager of six years, the smiling, 'can-do' Lynelle Lembryk, is moving on to a position that allows her to spend more time with family and be a first-time grandmother to new baby Ryan. Lynelle leaves big shoes to fill. There are so many aspects to what Lynelle contributes to the success of the parish. Attention to administration, bookkeeping, facilities management of many buildings on the property, and parishioner communications duties is to be expected in such a position. But, perhaps even more importantly here in a parish like St Canice’s, Lynelle brings a special gift of a ‘listening ear’ to the many who telephone, or knock on the door of the parish office every day, or who are guests in Canice Kitchen. True to the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences, Lynelle patiently accompanies and comforts so many troubled people.
Our new Parish Priest – Dave Braithwaite SJ
We are pleased to announce that, in consultation with our Jesuit Provincial, Fr Quyen Vu SJ, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, has appointed Fr David Braithwaite SJ as the next Parish Priest of St Canice’s. Fr Dave is no stranger to the Parish as he has been living here for over a year while writing his doctoral thesis on Systematic Theology. Previously, Father David was involved in the Jesuit Australian Province’s ministry with young adults for about ten years.
August 2022
St Canice’s raise over $1 million for Railaco
Thank you to the incredible generosity from the Sydney based Jesuit parish, St Canice, who has been a phenomenal supporter and companion to its sister Parish in Railaco, Timor-Leste since 2004. During their recent St Ignatius Feast Day appeal, St Canice’s was able to reach a significant milestone of raising over $1 million for Railaco – thanks to 18 years of commitment and steadfast support from the St Canice’s community. “St Canice community, thank you! You found us at our rock bottom and you lifted us by feeding our hungry, providing service for our sick, and providing education to our youth! Thank you and God bless you for following Him in the mission," said Fr Bong Abad Santos SJ, who runs the mobile medical clinic in Railaco.
Farewell to Fr Paul Fyfe SJ
Paul’s Jesuit brothers, Fr Sacha and Fr Dave joined Paul in celebrating the Mass, before our musicians Claudine, Graham, and Robyn provided a touching musical farewell. So many people came to the mass and stayed around afterwards to eat so many roast lamb and pickle sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, homemade cakes and goodness knows what else - in between bidding their personal good wishes.
Generosity beyond bounds – Thank you.
Fr Bong writes to us from Railaco: St Canice community, thank you! You have made us millionaires! We are your poor sister community that by God's grace made rich! Our relationship goes back to 2004 when you found us at our rock bottom and you lifted us by feeding our hungry, providing service for our sick, & providing education to our youth! Thank you & God bless you for following Him in the mission!!!
“That’s My Daddy”
My life changing Railaco Experience by Dan Elias . . . Thank you, Fr Sacha. Good morning and thank you for welcoming me into your beautiful parish to share what were incredible and humbling experiences on my recent visit in Railaco, Timor-Leste. Being a proud father of two young children, I look at life not only through my eyes, but with my children’s future in mind. Returning from Railaco, I say to them: “Alessandra and Jayson, Daddy’s eyes and heart were opened beyond belief. I now wish to show you how to live your lives with your eyes wide open. Don’t be ok with just being fortunate and comfortable, learn to make your small contribution to those who so desperately need it.”
Celebrating Ignatius and Railaco Jesuit Mission at St Canice’s
Celebration, flags, colour, music and mingling at St Canice’s on the Feast Day of St Ignatius inspires a sense of ‘Festa’. Freshly cut banana trees on the columns and at the doorways of the church bring a sense of Railaco to our doorstep here in Elizabeth Bay. Fanfare of organ, trumpet and violin introduce our Entrance Hymn, ‘Christ is Made our Sure Foundation’. It reminds us of the ‘sure foundation’ St Canice’s laid in establishing our sister parish relationship with the Railaco Jesuit Mission 18 years ago. Most importantly, Fr Sacha Goldman SJ celebrates the Eucharist with a gentle dignity. That prayerful act – whether richly involved like today, or simple – is the centrepiece of all that we hold dear.
July 2022
Michael Musgrave – Companions Medal
Michael was the recipient this week of a Companion’s Medal at the Jesuit Province Gathering. A Companion’s Medal is awarded to “lay companions in ministry who have been faithful, loyal, and dedicated supporters of our Jesuit Province Mission”, through their “distinguished service, great generosity and for the fulfilment of responsibilities to a high degree and over an extended period”.
Nossef is the start of something Big
You, all of us at St Canice’s, are part of something so big at our Railaco secondary school. Through their Jesuit education, and as part of our involvement, students at Nossef gain not only an enriching understanding of knowledge that comes from textbooks, but also from life experiences, like adapting to a culture, embracing failure, living a balanced life, and relating with people from different ages and backgrounds.
June 2022
‘Upholding Fullness of Life on Earth’ in Railaco
‘Upholding Fullness of Life on Earth’ in Railaco sounds grand at first. But it’s anything but. This is one pillar in the Apostolic priorities of our sister parish in Railaco. Elaborating on tis, the parish priest, Fr EJ Gerilla SJ, tells us that ‘Some poverty in parts of the parish is beyond imagination’. Feeding children and providing a mobile medical clinic is part of the parish response to this. Education at the parish secondary school NOSSEF raises the bar to get rural kids a real chance in life, both academically and formed to be ‘men and women for others’.
Back to Railaco after 3 years
Fr Bong is still negotiating impossible roads to take the mobile medical clinic to communities without medical services from the government. At a far distant village, we parked under a tree, and Fr Bong consulted with 80 mothers and babies in an old tin shed, also used as a church. Across the way, the government clinic stands shuttered—no medicines for the people! Our continuing support is crucial.
Confirmation Gathering 2022
A beautiful parish gathering this morning for so many reasons - Bishop Richard Umbers visits to confirm five our own young people . We bid Fr Paul Fyfe SJ adieu as he goes on sabbatical this week, and welcome Fr Sacha Goldman SJ to the parish to 'mind the fort' with Fr Dave.