These are extracts from an address delivered by Reg Whitely.
The theme of tonight is that of journeying, led by the Spirit. I thought we might start by hearing the history of this community – not of FAME but the community. The beginning of our journey was in July 1994 at the Assembly in Perth; held at St Thomas More College at the University, where an American lady Ruby Cribbins had been brought in as the facilitator; so it was considered that important. The last afternoon the theme was, Where to Now? The South Australian brothers had asked for a new community in South Australia – and the rider they added was: like Girrawheen in the West. Well I was a member of that community at Girrawheen and was delighted to hear this.
.... While we were at the meeting the phone rang and Des answered it. He returned to say that the call was from Adelaide from Sister Meredith Evans asking for the brothers to please consider coming to Hackham to help them in their work there. Her request wasn’t given much notice but it was strangely fulfilled later. It was agreed upon that the research into the whole project would begin.
Reg describes the presentation of the Brothers on their arrival:
As our gloomy procession made its way into the auditorium, 7000 people stood as one to applaud us during our progress to the stage. Everything was okay! In the homily in that Mass, the young priest from Morphett Vale spoke of our new community coming into his area. This community was a real sign that the brothers were not going to hold back on their mission. I was so proud to be part of the community.
Looking to the future Reg ended with:
While it is good to see the work of the Spirit in all our stories we also have to ask ‘Where to now Edmund?’ To think that in spite of the messiness, the mission to the young people in the area has resulted in all our dreams coming true. Over a hundred really marginalised students are being catered for by FAME and SCAEP. I think the brothers have been a gift to the area in spite of the weaknesses of the group. Surely it has been the work of the Spirit!
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